HIV Neuropathy 2014 Findings

Today's post from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (see link below) is a short account of the author's findings in conjunction with PubMed, concerning the status of HIV-related neuropathy in 2014. It's part of a larger collection of studies and articles from PubMed, under the umbrella title of 'Current Opinion on HIV and Aids'. It's short but tells us quite a lot and confirms that HIV neuropathy is a result of the HIV medications, the virus, or a combination of the two. It also confirms that despite trials, no effective treatment has been found apart from standard treatments for suppressing pain. Worth a read if you have neuropathy as a result of HIV.

HIV Neuropathy
Kaku M1, Simpson DM. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2014 Nov;9(6):521-6. doi: 10.1097/COH.0000000000000103. 

Author information

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

To present an overview of HIV-associated distal symmetric polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP) and other HIV-related peripheral neuropathies in the post-highly active retroviral therapy era.

RECENT FINDINGS:

HIV-DSP has become the most common neurologic complication of HIV largely due to the prolonged survival of HIV-positive patients with the advent of highly active retroviral therapy. HIV-DSP can be attributed to the disease itself or to secondary effects of certain HAART agents, and often the two disease entities cannot be distinguished. HIV-DSP can lead to significant morbidity and interfere with daily activities. Diagnosis can be obtained from a detailed history and neurologic exam revealing absent ankle jerks and abnormal, vibratory perception or decreased pinprick or temperature. Supporting studies include nerve conduction studies and skin biopsy. Although there are no United States Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for HIV-DSP, clinicians often use off-label medications, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, topical agents and other analgesics.

SUMMARY:

The prevalence of those affected by HIV-DSP will continue to grow with the aging population of HIV-infected individuals. Compared to the diabetic neuropathy drug trials, trials in both symptomatic and disease-modifying agents for HIV-DSP have had little success. Other forms of HIV-related peripheral neuropathies are discussed briefly, and include acute and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, polyradiculopathy, mononeuropathies, mononeuritis multiplex, cranial neuropathies, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like motor neuropathy.
PMID:25275705 [PubMed - in process] 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25275705