Neurocognitive impairment in Spanish-speaking Latinos living with HIV in the US: Application of the neuropsychological norms for the US–Mexico border region in Spanish (NP-NUMBRS)

<b>Objective</b> Latinos in the US are at increased risk for HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (NCI). Most studies of US Latinos living with HIV have included primarily English-speakers only. We investigated the rate, pattern, and correlates of HIV-associated NCI in native Spanish-speaking Latinos living in the US near the Mexican border. <b>Methods</b> Participants included 407 native Spanish-speaking Latinos (Age: <i>M</i> = 37.65, <i>SD</i> = 10.0; Education: <i>M</i> = 10.75, <i>SD</i> = 4.1; 53% male): 153 persons living with HIV (PLWH; 56% AIDS) and 254 healthy controls. All participants completed comprehensive neuropsychological assessments in Spanish. Raw neuropsychological test scores from seven domains were converted to demographically-adjusted <i>T</i>-scores using norms developed with healthy controls. Global and domain NCI were defined per established criteria. Among PLWH we applied norms developed for non-Hispanic (NH) Whites and Blacks, and investigated correlates of global NCI, including HIV disease characteristics and psychiatric comorbidities. <b>Results</b> Utilizing population specific norms, rates of global NCI were significantly higher among PLWH (39%) than healthy controls (17%), comparable to previously published rates. In contrast, rates of global NCI in the same group of PLWH were significantly different when NH White norms (63%, <i>p</i> < 0.0001) and NH Black norms were used (18%, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Among PLWH without a history of lifetime substance use disorder, more years of antiretroviral exposure were significantly associated with decreased rates of global NCI. <b>Conclusions</b> Present findings lend support to the validity of newly developed norms for native Spanish-speakers living near the US-Mexico border, and underscore the importance of utilizing appropriate norms to accurately identify HIV-associated NCI.