Date Published:
2010 May

Publication Type:
Journal Article

Authors:

R.J. Ellis
D. Rosario
D.B. Clifford
J.C. McArthur
D. Simpson
T. Alexander
B.B. Gelman
F. Vaida
A. Collier
C.M. Marra
B. Ances
H. Atkinson
R.H. Dworkin
S. Morgello
I. Grant

Secondary:
Arch Neurol

Volume:
67

Pagination:
552-8

Issue:
5

PMID:
20457954

URL:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20457954

DOI:
10.1001/archneurol.2010.76

Keywords:
Activities of Daily Living;Adult;Alcoholism;Anti-Retroviral Agents;CD4 Lymphocyte Count;CHARTER;Comorbidity;Cross-Sectional Studies;Employment;Female;Hepatitis C;HIV Infections;Humans;Immunocompetence;Immunocompromised Host;Internal;Male;Middle Aged;Peripheral Nervous System Diseases;Prevalence;Prospective Studies;Quality of Life;Risk Factors;Viral Load;Virus Replication

Abstract:
<p>OBJECTIVE: To provide updated estimates of the prevalence and clinical impact of human immunodeficiency virus-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) and neuropathic pain due to HIV-SN in the combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) era.DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional analysis. Clinical correlates for HIV-SN and neuropathic pain, including age, exposure to CART, CD4 levels, plasma viral load, hepatitis C virus infection, and alcohol use disorders, were evaluated in univariate and multivariate models.SETTING: Six US academic medical centers.PATIENTS: One thousand five hundred thirty-nine HIV-infected individuals enrolled in the CNS (Central Nervous System) HIV Anti-Retroviral Therapy Effects Research study.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence of HIV-SN, defined by 1 or more clinical signs (diminished vibration or sharp sensation in the legs and feet; reduced ankle reflexes) in a distal, symmetrical pattern. Neuropathic pain was defined as aching, stabbing, or burning in a similar distribution. The effect on quality of life was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey.RESULTS: We found HIV-SN in 881 participants. Of these, 38.0% reported neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was significantly associated with disability in daily activities, unemployment, and reduced quality of life. Risk factors for HIV-SN after adjustment were advancing age (odds ratio, 2.1 [95% confidence interval, 1.8-2.5] per 10 years), lower CD4 nadir (1.2 [1.1-1.2] per 100-cell decrease), current CART use (1.6 [1.3-2.8]), and past "D-drug" use (specific dideoxynucleoside analogue antiretrovirals) (2.0 [1.3-2.6]). Risk factors for neuropathic pain were past D-drug use and higher CD4 nadir.CONCLUSIONS: Neuropathic pain and HIV-SN remain prevalent, causing substantial disability and reduced quality of life even with successful CART. The clinical correlates of HIV-SN have changed with the evolution of treatment. These findings argue for redoubled efforts to determine HIV-SN pathogenesis and the development of symptomatic and neuroregenerative therapies.</p>