Peripheral neuropathy and Associated Factors among Adult HIV/AIDS Patients Initiating HAART in SPHMMC ART Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Antiretroviral therapy has surely increased the life expectancy of people living with HIV. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the most common neurological complication on adult HIV patients. Nevertheless this is under recognized and undertreated especially in resource limited settings. Hence, this study was set out to establish the burden of HIV-associated sensory neuropathy and, its association with demographic, health and clinical characteristics among people living with HIV in Ethiopia Methods: A cross sectional study design was conducted to assess the prevalence of HIV-associated sensory neuropathy and the associated factors among adult HIV patients SPHMMC ART Clinic Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Brief Peripheral Neuropathy Screening (BPNS) tool validated by the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) was used. Data were analyzed descriptively and through uni-and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Out of 301 patients studied, 43.9% had HIV-SN. In HIV-SN patients the median duration of HIV infection was 138 months (IQR 96 – 180) and their median CD4 count 544 cells/μL (IQR 409.5 – 727). Older age and alcohol drinking were found to be associated with HIV associated sensory neuropathy (AOR 1.032 and 4.682) respectively Conclusions: HIV-SN is common among patients with older age and alcohol drinker PLWHIV patients in Ethiopia. This simple diagnostic tool (BPNS) should therefore be routinely used to detect those with HIV-SN or at risk so as to minimize the negative impact it has on their quality of life. Keywords: HIV-associated sensory neuropathy, Peripheral neuropathy, Ethiopia