Neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric evaluation of individuals living with HIV compared to HIV uninfected individuals

This study aimed to compare the neurocognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms of individuals living with HIV and HIV-negative controls, and to evaluate their associations with clinical markers of disease activity. The study included 111 HIV-positive individuals followed at Ankara City Hospital and 54 HIV-negative controls matched for age, sex, and educational level. All participants were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Vitamin D levels were significantly higher in the control group than in the HIV-positive group (<i>p</i> = 0.043). Using a MoCA cut-off score of 21, the proportion of participants scoring ≥21 was significantly higher among controls (<i>p</i> = 0.036). No significant differences were observed between the groups in depression or anxiety scores (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Additionally, neurocognitive performance and psychiatric symptoms were not significantly associated with CD4 count or HIV RNA levels. These findings indicate that neurocognitive impairment remains prevalent among individuals living with HIV despite effective antiretroviral therapy. Although depression and anxiety levels did not differ between groups, regular neurocognitive and psychiatric assessments remain essential components of comprehensive HIV care, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary management.