Review Article
Year: 2016 | Month: December | Volume: 6 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 297-301
Diagnostic Modalities for HIV Distal Symmetrical Peripheral Neuropathy: A Review
Alagoma Iyagba, Arthur Onwuchekwa.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Alagoma Iyagba
ABSTRACT
Objective: To review the current diagnostic modalities for HIV-distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (HIV-DSPN), the commonest neurological complication of HIV.
Materials and Methods: A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature using a combination of words (HIV, distal symmetrical, polyneuropathy, diagnosis) to identify original studies, consensus statements, and reviews published in the past three decades. Emphasis was on diagnosis of HIV distal symmetrical polyneuropathy, the most common form
Results: The various modalities available for the diagnosis of HIV-DSPN.
Conclusion: Early screening and diagnosis of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy would facilitate institution of new treatments or modification of antiretroviral therapies. This would in the long-term decrease disease-related morbidity by improving the patient’s quality of life.
Key words: HIV, distal symmetrical, polyneuropathy, diagnosis.