Peripheral neuropathy in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Incidence and relationship to other nervous system dysfunction
C. D. Hall, C. R. Snyder, J. A. Messenheimer, J. W. Wilkins, W. T. Robertson, R. A. Whaley and K. R. Robertson
AIDS Neurologic Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7025.
A cohort of 94 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus was
evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically for the presence of
peripheral neuropathy, and the results were compared with evaluations of
central nervous system function. Thirty-two (34%) had some degree of
peripheral neuropathy; 18 (19%) (six [12%] of the 49 asymptomatic patients,
five [45%] of the 11 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
[AIDS], and seven [21%] of the 34 patients with AIDS-related complex) had
neuropathy on clinical examination; and 21 (23%) (eight [16%] asymptomatic,
four [36%] AIDS, and nine [26%] AIDS-related complex) had neuropathy on
electrophysiologic evaluation. There was a significant correlation between
the presence of neuropathy and evidence of central nervous system
dysfunction.
