title: HIV peripheral neuropathy: pathophysiology and clinical implications.
abstract: One of the most debilitating neurological complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), affecting nearly one in three patients, is painful peripheral neuropathy. Although HIV infection can cause distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP), the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to treat HIV infection has resulted in a significant number of patients developing a clinically indistinguishable form of toxic neuropathy. The predominant symptom, regardless of etiology, is excruciating unremitting pain, resistant to pharmacological treatments, that leads to a reduction in the ability to conduct activities of daily living and, eventually, inability to ambulate. Since withdrawal from nucleoside therapy is not typically recommended, a more thorough understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology underlying nucleoside-induced peripheral neuropathy, through basic and clinical research endeavors, will aid in the development of new therapeutic treatments aimed at alleviating or ameliorating pain. This article provides the latest information regarding the pathophysiology and clinical implications of HIV peripheral neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 21201, USA. sdorsey@son.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Dorsey
authors.forename: Patricia Gonce
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000344:Afferent Pathways; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004525:Efferent Pathways; D004576:Electromyography; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications; D008487:Medical History Taking; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010146:Pain / Q000821:virology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D010808:Physical Examination; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents