title: HIV-associated sensory neuropathy in HIV-1 infected patients at the Douala General Hospital in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peripheral neuropathy (PN) which is the most common neurological complication of HIV infection is under recognised and undertreated especially in resource limited settings. This ailment which has a negative impact on the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients exists in different clinical patterns of which HIV-associated Sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) is the most common affecting up to two thirds of patients with advanced disease in some settings. In Cameroon where HIV is a major public health problem, the burden of HIV-SN has not yet been well defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Brief Peripheral Neuropathy Screening (BPNS) tool validated by the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) we carried out a cross sectional study to determine the prevalence of HIV-SN and its associated factors among HIV-1 patients at the Douala General Hospital between 1st July and 31st October 2011. HIV-SN was defined as the presence of neuropathic symptoms and at least an abnormal perception of vibrations of a 128Hz tuning fork on the great toe or abnormal ankle reflexes or both and expressed as a percentage of the study population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 295 patients studied, 21% had HIV-SN. In HIV-SN patients the median duration of HIV infection was 79.8 months (IQR 46 - 107.5) and their median CD4 count 153cells/μL (IQR 80 - 280). Patient recall and clinical chart review showed that, 83.9% had neuropathic symptoms prior to HAART initiation and 16.1% after HAART initiation. Low CD4 count, history of alcohol intake and history of anti-tuberculosis treatment were strongly associated with HIV-SN (AOR 2.5, 2.8 and 2.9 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV-SN is common among patients with advanced HIV infection in Cameroon. This simple diagnostic tool (BPNS) should therefore be routinely used to detect those with HIV-SN or at risk so as to minimise the negative impact it has on their quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of internal Medicine, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon. hnluma@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Henry Namme
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Luma
authors.forename: Benjamin Clet Nguenkam
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Tchaleu
authors.forename: Marie Solange
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Doualla
authors.forename: Elvis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Temfack
authors.forename: Victor Nicolas King
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Sopouassi
authors.forename: Yacouba Njankouo
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Mapoure
authors.forename: Vincent-de-Paul
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Djientcheu