Project overview
Medical treatment has transformed HIV to a manageable, chronic condition. The UK is now home to a growing, ageing population of people living with HIV (PLWH). However, cognitive impairment in people living with HIV is an increasingly important health concern, with incidence of cognitive impairment expected to rise as the HIV population continues to age. It is estimated that mild to moderate cognitive impairment is currently seen in 14-28% of PLWH.
To date, research has primarily focused on the causes of cognitive impairment, improving screening techniques for cognitive impairment, and clarifying the clinical relevance of the different diagnostic criteria used. More recently, the advent of specialist HIV memory clinics in key centres around the UK, such as the Orange Clinic in Brighton has improved helpseeking for cognitive impairment and the clinical management of cognitive difficulties. Crucially, however, research and interventions aimed at assisting people living with HIV to live well with cognitive impairment do not currently exist and represent an important un-met need in this population.
Recent research by the research team has detailed the poor quality of life described by PLWH with cognitive impairment. The UPLIFT Study was designed to begin to examine some of the needs of this group and understand in what areas we can think about producing interventions which might help improve and maintain quality of life.