The frequency of peripheral neuropathy in a group of HIV positive patients in Brazil

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy is a common neurological complication occurring in asymptomatic and symptomatic stages of HIV infection. The most common syndromes are distal symmetric polyneuropathy, inflammatory demielinating polyneuropathy, poliradiculopathy, mononeuropathy, mononeuropathy multiplex and autonomic neuropathy. Purpose: To evaluate the frequency of peripheral neuropathy in a group of HIV seropositive outpatients in São Paulo, Brazil. Method: Over a period of 17 months, 49 HIV+ patients where evaluated clinically. Laboratory analysis and electroneuromyography were requested to all patients. Results: Thirty four (69.4%) of the 49 patients had the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy established on clinical grounds. The most common sign was impairment (97.1%) of sensibility. Thirteen (33.3%) of the 39 that were subjected to electroneuromyography had features of peripheral neuropathy, being a sensitive-motor axonal neuropathy the most common. No abnormalities were found in the laboratory analysis performed in 42 patients, except in four who had VDRL positive. Conclusion: A peripheral neuropathy was frequently found upon clinical examination in our group of HIV positive individuals.