The introduction of combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) has changed the course of HIV/AIDS. Combined antiretroviral treatment has reduced the incidence of new HIV infection AIDS-defining illness, prolonged survival, and allowed many patients to partially restore their peripheral immune response. As a result, the incidence of HAD has significantly declined, but the prevalence of the more mild form of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder MCD has increased. This course is intended to familiarize healthcare professionals with the terminology, pathophysiology, and treatment strategies associated with HAND. Healthcare professionals can assist caregivers and patients to enhance safety, treatment compliance, and quality of life by individualizing effective interventions.
The neurologic complications of HIV have been associated with the level of immunodeficiency. For example, meningitis, acute encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, cranial nerve palsy are most common in the early stage of HIV infection (CD4>500 cells/ml). Minor Cognitive-Motor disorder (MCMD) now known as mild cognitive disorder (MCD), myelopathy and myopathy are more common in moderate to severe immunodeficiency (CD4 200-500 cells/ml). AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC) now known as HIV-associated dementia (HAD) is most common in the late stage of HIV/AIDS (CD4 <200 cells/ml). HAD is an AIDS-defining condition.
The introduction of combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) has changed the course of HIV/AIDS. Combined antiretroviral treatment has reduced Incidence of new HIV infection AIDS defining illness, prolonged survival and allowed many patients to partially restore their immune response. As a result, the incidence of HAD has significantly declined but the prevalence of the more mild form of HIV associated neurocognitive disorder MCD has increased. This course is intended to familiarize healthcare professionals with the terminology, pathophysiology and treatment strategies associated HAND. Healthcare professionals can assisted caregivers and patients to enhance safety, treatment compliance and quality of life by individualizing effective interventions.
Reference
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