Painful symptoms reported by ambulatory HIV-infected men in a longitudinal study.
We studied the painful symptoms associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its treatment in a group of men enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study of HIV effects on the nervous system. The most common painful illnesses reported were HIV-related headaches, herpes simplex, painful peripheral neuropathy, back pain, herpes zoster, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT)-induced headaches, throat pain, and arthralgia. Painful illnesses were reported at all stages of systemic disease but were more common in the later stages of disease and in subjects who progressed to a more advanced stage during the study period. There was an association between the frequency of multiple pains, increased disability on the Karnofsky scale, and higher depression scores, as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). We conclude that painful symptoms are important even in relatively healthy and independent HIV-infected men.
West Los Angeles VAMC, Department of Neurology (W127), Los Angeles, CA 90073 USA.
Elyse J
EJ
Singer
Carlos
C
Zorilla
Bridget
B
Fahy-Chandon
Susan
S
Chi
Karl
K
Syndulko
Wallace W
WW
Tourtellotte
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000150:complications; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015215:Zidovudine