This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Abstract
Objective: To determine the accuracy of a screening examination for distal sensory peripheral neuropathy (DSPN) performed by nonphysician clinicians and to explore the associations between DSPN and clinical features in HIV-infected persons.
Methods: A case-control study of a volunteer sample of 226 HIV-infected individuals was performed. An interview, focusing on risks and symptoms of DSPN, and a screening neurologic examination were performed.
Results: Compared with the neurologist's examinations, the clinicians' examination was sensitive (92 to 95%) but not as specific (71 to 84%) for the diagnosis of DSPN. After excluding 27 patients with confounders, 42 of 199 patients (21%) had DSPN. This was associated significantly with neurotoxic nucleoside antiretroviral used and with more advanced HIV disease. Of the 42 patients with DSPN, 30 (71%) had no neuropathy symptoms.
Conclusions: A brief examination performed by trained nonphysician clinicians can be used to screen for DSPN in HIV-infected persons. Asymptomatic DSPN is common in these individuals.
AAN Members
We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.
AAN Non-Member Subscribers
Purchase access
Letters: Rapid online correspondence
REQUIREMENTS
You must ensure that your Disclosures have been updated within the previous six months. Please go to our Submission Site to add or update your Disclosure information.
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.
You May Also be Interested in
Alert Me
Recommended articles
CSF antiretroviral drug penetrance and the treatment of HIV-associated psychomotor slowing
Combination antiretroviral therapy improves psychomotor speed performance in HIV-seropositive homosexual men
Neurologic disorders incidence in HIV+ vs HIV− men
Long-term predictive value of the Framingham Risk Score for Stroke in HIV-positive vs HIV-negative men