The Veterans Aging Cohort Study Index is not associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in Uganda

The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index has been associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) in some populations but has not been studied in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated whether the VACS Index is associated with HAND in a rural population in Rakai, Uganda. HIV-infected (HIV+) adults on antiretroviral therapy underwent a neurocognitive battery for determination of HAND stage using Frascati criteria. VACS component scores were recorded for all participants. Out of 156 study participants, HAND stages were 49% normal cognition, 15% asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, 31% minor neurocognitive disorder, and 7% HIV-associated dementia. There was no significant association between VACS Index and any HAND stage. In this first study of the VACS Index in sub-Saharan Africa, we found no association between VACS Index score and HAND.