Peripheral neuropathy in individuals with HIV infection in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy is associated with HIV infection. The prevalence and types of peripheral neuropathy encountered in a randomly‐selected HIV infected African population at different stages of disease were investigated. HIV positive individuals were categorized into 1 of 3 groups: asymptomatic, symptomatic and AIDS. HIV negative individuals formed the control group. Nerve conduction data were obtained using standard electrophysiological procedures and CD4+ levels were measured. The type of neuropathy was determined from the history, clinical presentation and electrophysiological abnormalities. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 44%: subclinical neuropathy (SCN) accounted for 56%, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) for 15% and distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) for 22% of cases of neuropathy. SCN was found in all categories whereas AIDP predominated in the symptomatic category and DSPN in individuals with AIDS. The pattern and frequency of neuropathies seen in our African population is similar to that reported from other continents.

Pilot Study: Does Lower Extremity Night Splinting Assist in the Management of Painful Peripheral Neuropathy in the HIV/AIDS Population?

“…[6][7][8] The incidence of clinical peripheral neuropathy (PN) in the HIV-infected population is reported to vary between 30% and 60%, with increased prevalence in the later stages of AIDS. 9,10 Neuropathic symptoms can be perplexing to the individual patient as well as being difficult to successfully manage for the health care professional. 11 The somatosensory symptoms follow a ''stocking-glove'' distribution, with prevalence loci to the lower extremities in this patient population.…”

Increased Frequency of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in HIV Infection: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…Although most authors describe GBS as a manifestation of early HIV infection or even seroconversion, numerous reports of GBS in advanced immunosuppression are available, with CD4+ counts as low as 4 cells/mm 3 [9][10][11]. In our cohort, one third of HIV-positive patients had AIDS.…”

“…However, because this informationis derived from populations with a low prevalence of HIV infection, it does not provide information about the incidence of GBS in HIV-infected individuals. Although GBS has been reported in HIVpositive individuals [9][10][11][12] and is regarded as more frequent in this group [13], data beyond case reports and small case series is scarce. Furthermore, although the presentation and course of GBS is thought to be similar in HIV-positive and -negative an individual, no systematic investigation has been performed to explore this.…”

The prevalence of co-morbidities in patients on HAART referred for physiotherapy in three public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a short report

“…A possible explanation for our findings is that HAART is "changing the profile" of the HIV infected individuals. Studies have documented a link between the central or peripheral nervous system, peripheral neuropathy and the HIV dis ease which is associated with antiretro viral therapy (Parry et al, 1997;Moyle & Sadler 1998). Our study supports this as 46% (n=36) presented with periph eral neuropathy and 3% (n=2) cerebral vascular accident.…”