Association between a lower T-CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratio and cognitive impairment in older persons with HIV

Abstract Purpose to determine the association between a lower LT-CD4+/CD8 + ratio and cognitive impairment among people ≥ 50 years with HIV. Methods cross-sectional study, including 207 adults aged > 50 years with HIV, receiving care at a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico City. Participants underwent a standardized geriatric and neuropsychological assessment to establish the presence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder using validated criteria. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to determine the association between T-CD4+/CD8 + lymphocyte ratio tercile values (0.57–0.91, and < 0.56; being > 0.91 the reference category) and cognitive impairment. Results Participants’ median age was 56 (IQR 53–62) years and 173 (83.6%) were men. The prevalence of any kind of cognitive impairment according to the Antinori criteria was 66.2% (n = 137); the highest proportion being asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (n = 114, 83.2%). Adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that the lowest LT-CD4+/CD8 + ratio tercile values (< 0.56) were independently associated with the presence of cognitive impairment (OR 3.16; 95% CI: 1.22–8.16, p = 0.017). Conclusion lower LT-CD4+/CD8 + ratios are independently associated with cognitive impairment older persons with HIV, which represents another factor that could be addressed to modulate this outcome.