The prevalence, characteristics and morbidity of neuropathic pain in AIDS patients, prior to the use of HAART, at the Kalafong Hospital HIV clinic, Pretoria

Neuropathic pain, of which a distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most frequent cause, is a common problem in patients with HIV infection and AIDS. The researcher is concerned that neuropathic pain in patients with AIDS tends to be underdiagnosed and under-treated. There are several reasons for this, one of which may be a lack of awareness of the extent of the problem, as well as the impact it has on patients' lives. Several studies around the world have noted the problem of under-diagnosis and undertreatment of pain and more specifically, neuropathic pain, in patients with AIDS. A review of the literature reveals a wide variation in the prevalence of neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathy in AIDS patients. To determine the prevalence, characteristics, severity and morbidity of neuropathic pain in AIDS patients, attending the Kalafong HIV Clinic, prior to the initiation of HAART.A prospective, cross sectional and descriptive study was done at the Kalafong Hospital HIV Clinic. Data was collected from a systematic sample of 354 AIDS patients, who were referred to this HIV clinic to be initiated on HAART. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and focused neurological examination were used. This included a recently validated instrument, the DN4, for identifying pain which is neuropathic in origin. Selected sections of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) were used to determine the severity of the neuropathic pain, as well as pain-related interference on aspects of daily living.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Public Health and Family Medicine

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Hitchcock, Sonia Anne

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Gwyther, Liz
• Meyer, Helgard

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11109

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11109