Peripheral Neuropathy Frequency in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-seropositive Patients in Southwest of Iran

Neurological disorders such as the peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement are common complications associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, occurring in both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals.

This study evaluates the frequency of different types of PNS involvement among HIV-seropositive patients.

In this analytical study, 59 HIV-seropositive patients visiting an HIV referral center in Ahvaz, Iran, between April 2018 and April 2019 were studied. Data regarding age, sex, history of neuropathy, education, time of diagnosis and treatment, history of tuberculosis (TB), drug history (ART and others), and history of smoking were documented. Also, data associated with other causes of peripheral neuropathy, such as diabetes mellitus (DM), chromium (Cr) level, and alcohol consumption, were recorded. The relationship between these variables and PNS was determined.

Out of 59 patients, 30 and 29 patients were male and female, respectively, with a mean age of 37.88 years. Thirteen (13/59, 22%) patients had PNS involvement. Data analysis demonstrated no significant relationship between PNS involvement and gender (P-value = 0.8), height (P-value = 0.898), smoking (P-value = 0.312), education (P-value = 0.111), CD4 count (P-value = 0.073), viral load count (P-value = 0.57), and the mean duration of diagnosis (P-value = 0.913). The analysis also showed a significant relationship between age and the prevalence of PNS involvement (P-value < 0.05)

Peripheral neuropathy is relatively common in HIV-seropositive patients, the prevalence of which increases with advancing age. Older age significantly elevates the risk of neuropathy. There was no significant relationship between PNS involvement and gender, height, smoking, education CD4 count, viral load count, and the mean duration of diagnosis in the present study. Further studies with larger cohorts of patients are recommended.