Correlation between computerised and standard cognitive testing in people with HIV and HIV-negative individuals

ABSTRACT

We investigated the correlations and agreement between cognitive assessments made using a computerised (CogState™, six domains) and a standard pen-and-paper battery (five domains) in PWH and lifestyle-similar HIV-negative individuals. Demographically adjusted domain and global T-scores were obtained and used to define cognitive impairment according to the multivariate normative comparison (MNC) criteria. Correlations between T-scores and the agreement between the classifications of cognitive impairment obtained from the two batteries were assessed using the Spearman’s rank correlation and Cohen’s κ, respectively. The correlation between global T-scores from the two batteries was 0.52 (95% CI 0.44–0.60) in PWH and 0.45 (0.29–0.59) in controls (p = 0.38 for their difference). Correlations were generally stronger between domains within the same battery than between those from different batteries. The agreement between the two batteries in classifying individuals as cognitively impaired or not impaired was fair in PWH (κ = 0.24) and poor in HIV-negative individuals (κ = −0.02). The moderate correlation between overall cognitive function and the modest agreement between binary classifications of cognitive impairment obtained from two different batteries indicate the two batteries may assess slightly different components of cognition.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• cognitive impairment
• CogState
• cognitive battery
• computerised cognitive battery

Acknowledgements

POPPY-Sleep Management Team: Ken Kunisaki, Susan Redline, Alan Winston, Caroline Sabin, Paddy Mallon, Nicki Doyle, Amalia Ndoutoumou. POPPY-Sleep Sleep Reading Centre Team: Emily Kaplan, Dan Mobley, Michael Rueschman, Michelle Reid (Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston/USA). POPPY-Sleep Scientific Steering Committee: Jane Anderson, David Asboe, Marta Boffito, Lucy Garvey, Paddy Mallon, Frank Post, Anton Pozniak, Caroline Sabin, Memory Sachikonye, Jaime Vera, Ian Williams, Alan Winston. POPPY-Sleep methodology/statistics/analysis: Caroline Sabin, Davide De Francesco, Mike Rueschman. POPPY-Sleep Sites and Trials Unit: Caldecot Centre, King’s College Hospital (Frank Post, Beatriz Santana Suárez, Lucy Campbell); Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London (Lewis Haddow, Michelle Beynon, Abigail Severn, Andrea Cartier, Hinal Lukha); Elton John Centre, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital (Jaime Vera, Sarah Kirk); HIV Molecular Research Group, School of Medicine, PPY-Sleep Management Team: Ken Kunisaki, Susan Redline, Alan Winston, Caroline Sabin, Paddy Mallon, Nicki Doyle, Amalia Ndoutoumou. POPPY-Sleep Sleep Reading Centre Team: Emily Kaplan, Dan Mobley, Michael Rueschman, Michelle Reid (Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston/USA). POPPY-Sleep Scientific Steering Committee: University College Dublin (Paddy Mallon, Alan Macken, Sumesh Babu, Aoife McDermott); Homerton Sexual Health Services, Homerton University Hospital (Jane Anderson, Sam Pelluri, Anna Price); Imperial Clinical Trials Unit, Imperial College London (Amalia Ndoutoumou, Daphne Babalis); St. Mary’s Hospital London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (Alan Winston, Lucy Garvey, Jonathan Underwood, Lavender Tembo, Matthew Stott, Linda McDonald, Felix Dransfield); St Stephen's Centre, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (Marta Boffito, Michelle Anthonipillai, Peter Fernando, Shane Hardwick, Chido Chiwome, Candida Fernandez, Ana Milinkovic). POPPY-Sleep Funders: The POPPY-Sleep sub study is funded by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01 HL131049); the main POPPY study is funded from investigator initiated grants from BMS, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, MSD and ViiV Healthcare. We acknowledge the use of the NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility at King’s College Hospital. The research is also supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre based at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London. We acknowledge the use of the NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility at King’s College Hospital. DDF contributed to study concept and design, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of manuscript. JU contributed to study concept and design, interpretation of data, critical revision of manuscript. JA, MB, MS, PWGM, contributed to the acquisition of data. FAP, LH, JHV contributed to the acquisition of data, critical revision of manuscript. KMK contributed to study concept and design, critical revision of manuscript. CAS and AW contributed to study concept and design, interpretation of data, critical revision of manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Merck Sharp & DohmeOPPY-Sleep Funders: The POPPY-Sleep sub study is funded by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [grant number R01 HL131049]; the main POPPY study is funded from investigator initiated grants from Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Merck Sharp & Dohme and ViiV Healthcare. The research is also supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) based at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London. JU has received funding from Gilead Sciences for membership of advisory boards and for preparation of educational materials. CAS has received funding from Gilead Sciences, ViiV Healthcare, and Janssen Cilag for membership of data safety and monitoring boards, advisory boards, and speaker panels and for preparation of educational materials. FAP reports grants and/or personal fees from Gilead Sciences, ViiV Healthcare, Janssen, and Merck Sharp & Dohme. JHV has received honoraria and research grants in trials sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme, Janssen Cilag, Piramal and Gilead sciences.