Simplification of the research diagnosis of HIV-associated sensory neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the most common neurological complication of HIV infection,affecting over one third of patients. The research diagnosis of PN is complicated by the need for expensive, time-consuming, and noxious diagnostic tests. We investigated whether nerve conduction studies (NSC) and quantitative sensory tests (QST) provide added value for the diagnosis of PN for research purposes or whether the easily obtainable clinical measures (sensory and motor symptoms, sensitivity to pain and vibration, tendon reflexes, motor function) are sufficient.
Evans
Scott R
SR
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. evans@sdac.harvard.edu
Clifford
David B
DB
Kitch
Douglas W
DW
Goodkin
Karl
K
Schifitto
Giovanni
G
McArthur
Justin C
JC
Simpson
David M
DM
D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity