       Document 0029
 DOCN  M9470029
 TI    Neuropsychological impairment in human immunodeficiency virus-infection:
       implications for employment. HNRC Group. HIV Neurobehavioral Research
       Center [see comments]
 DT    9409
 AU    Heaton RK; Velin RA; McCutchan JA; Gulevich SJ; Atkinson JH; Wallace MR;
       Godfrey HP; Kirson DA; Grant I; University of California, San Diego,
       School of Medicine.
 SO    Psychosom Med. 1994 Jan-Feb;56(1):8-17. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94255622
 CM    Comment in: Psychosom Med 1994 Jan-Feb;56(1):18-9
 AB    Individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus-Type 1
       (HIV-1), are at increased risk for neurobehavioral impairment,
       particularly in later stages of the disease. Even patients in the
       medically asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic stages of infection may
       show mild deficits on comprehensive neuropsychological (NP) test
       batteries, although the clinical significance of such deficits remains
       uncertain. The present study used vocational difficulties as markers of
       clinical significance of NP impairment. In a sample of 289 HIV-infected,
       nondemented men, those who evidenced NP impairment had a higher
       unemployment rate (p < .001) than did their unimpaired counterparts. In
       HIV-positive subjects who remained employed, NP impairment was strongly
       associated with subjective decreases in job-related abilities. Neither
       depression nor medical symptoms could explain the relationship between
       the NP impairment and employment problems. These results are consistent
       with previous studies investigating other neuropsychiatric disorders,
       which suggest that even mild NP impairment can interfere with employment
       status. From this standpoint, such impairment in HIV-infected persons
       may be described as clinically significant.
 DE    Adult  AIDS Dementia Complex/DIAGNOSIS/*REHABILITATION/TRANSMISSION
       California  Case Report  Disability Evaluation  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity/DIAGNOSIS/REHABILITATION/TRANSMISSION  *HIV-1
       Longitudinal Studies  Male  Military Personnel/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA
       *Neuropsychological Tests  *Rehabilitation, Vocational  Sex Behavior
       Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
       Unemployment/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

