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HIV-Associated Neuropathic Pain

Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Management

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Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy is associated with numerous systemic illnesses including HIV infection. Neuropathic pain constitutes approximately 25–50% of all pain clinic visits. Distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most common form of peripheral neuropathy in individuals with HIV infection. DSP is distinguished from other forms of neuropathy on the basis of history and neurological examination. The pain associated with DSP can be debilitating. Therefore, it is important to diagnose HIV-associated DSP properly and treat the neuropathic pain in order to improve quality of life. We review the clinical manifestations, epidemiology, pathophysiology and management strategies for HIV-associated DSP.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by National Institution of Health grants K24NS02253 (DS) and M01-RR-00071 (GCRC). Dr David Simpson has received grant support from Savient and is a consultant for Pfizer. Drs Lydia Estanislao and Susama Verma have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

The authors thank Dr Catherine Cho of Mount Sinai School of Medicine for her contribution and Bianca A. Verma for her technical expertise and illustration.

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  1. Department of Neurology, Neuro-AIDS Research Program, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA

    Susama Verma, Lydia Estanislao &  David Simpson

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  1. Susama Verma
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  2. Lydia Estanislao
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  3. David Simpson
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Correspondence to David Simpson.

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Verma, S., Estanislao, L. & Simpson, D. HIV-Associated Neuropathic Pain. CNS Drugs 19, 325–334 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-200519040-00005

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