Prevalence of Communication Disorders in HIV-Infected Adults. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kallail, K. James; Downs, David; Scherz, Julie; Sweet, Donna; Zackula, Rosalee E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care. Volume 13:Number 1(2014:Jan./Feb.)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: HIV -- communication disorders -- cognitive disorders -- hearing disorders -- prevalence; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; 616.9792
• DOI: 10.1177/2325957413510608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2325-9574

Abstract

Few adult patients with HIV/AIDS are evaluated for communication disorders. A broad inventory of the communication disorders was obtained in a convenience sample of 82 adult HIV/AIDS patients who presented for medical appointments. Each participant underwent a head and neck exam and a communications skills evaluation. Speech, language, and cognition were assessed using a 10-item test battery. A 14-item hearing test battery was conducted in a separate session. The primary outcomes were the presence and degree of communication disorders. Head and neck exams revealed 40% with ear-related issues. Only 2 participants showed normal findings on all 24 communication skills assessments. Four demonstrated normal findings on all speech-language-cognitive assessments, whereas 8 had normal findings on the complete hearing test battery. A relatively high prevalence of cognitive and language deficits and central auditory disturbances were found. Clinicians must recognize the potential for communication deficits even in a relatively healthy patient with HIV.