| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 1 | Page : 36-40 |
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Relationship between peripheral neuropathy and antiretroviral drugs used in the management of adult human immunodeficiency virus patients
Simeon A Nwabueze1, Ngozi N Joe-Ikechebelu2, Ifeoma A Modebe1, Prosper O. U. Adogu1, Prince U Ele3
1 Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University/Teaching Hospital, Nnewi Anambra State, Nigeria
2 Department of Community Medicine, Anambra State University/Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
3 Department of Internal Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University/Teaching Hospital, Nnewi Anambra State, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Simeon A Nwabueze
Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University/Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State
Nigeria
 Source of Support: Research carried out from authors personal
resources,, Conflict of Interest: The Authors hereby declare that there
is no conflict of interest envisaged in course of this research, article
review and publication.  | Check |
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Introduction: Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs have some associated adverse events that may jeopardize confidence in their safety and alter patient adherence to ARV therapy. Various forms of peripheral neuropathy are associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its management, and these occur at various stages of HIV disease. This study is aimed at exploring the relationship between peripheral neuropathy and ARV drugs used in the management of adult HIV patients who access care in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, a tertiary health facility in South-East Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study is a review of 7,280 ARV-experienced adult HIV-positive patients' medical records at NAUTH Nnewi, between July 2005 and July 2009. The adverse events electronic data base was searched, 156 patients with reported adverse events were identified and all data of 52 enrollees with peripheral neuropathies (PN) who met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Results: Median duration of treatment with ARV drugs was 42 weeks. The prevalence of neuropathy was high among the widowed females and those greater than 40 years (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). More PN were found among subjects on offending drugs than among those on alternate drugs (P < 0.005). All subjects with co-morbidities had peripheral neuropathy, while only 27.8% of those without co-morbidity had the neuropathy (P < 0.001). Conclusion: If co-morbidities are treated in HIV patients, offending drugs such as stavudine, replaced with alternatives like Tenofovir in the management of their medical condition and socio-demographic variables considered in the selection of treatment modalities, the incidence of peripheral neuropathy among HIV patients on ARV drugs will markedly reduce. |
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