ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to find out the cognitive impairment if any, in early stages of human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients and if there is any cognitive impairment, then its association with duration of illness detection. Fifty patients with early stages of HIV and 50 matched controls were compared in various neuropsychological tests along with demographic profiles. Seropositive patients had poorly performed in digit symbol substitution test, trail making test and controlled word association test. This impairment had no association with duration of detection of illness. It is not known whether mild neurocognitive disorder predisposes patients to the development of frank dementia. Cognitive impairment should be identified early in order to maximise functional status, enhance quality of life and survival time.
Subject(s)
Adult , Case-Control Studies , Cognition Disorders/diagnosis , Disease Progression , Female , HIV Infections/complications , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Pilot Projects , Psychometrics , Risk Factors , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Twenty students were affected in an epidemic of mass psychogenic illness occured in a high school of West Bengal, India in 2004. Our objective was to study and find out any related cause which may help in spread of illness and various management issues. We isolated the patients in hospital wards and interviewed each, arranged a group discussion with students, guardians, teachers and local leaders to alleviate the anxiety. Social stress due to rapid urbanization, individual stressful factors were associated with the event. Proper knowledge of mass psychogenic illness and its management is must for both psychiatrists, and primary care physicians.