The frequency and outcome of neuropathies among HIV/AIDS adults treated at a tertiary hospital in Kaduna State, Nigeria

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been shown to reduce AIDS- defining illnesses, including neuropathies. However, it has been postulated that an increase in age -, HIV- and HAART- related neurological complications will occur as HIV-infected persons live longer. This study investigated the frequency and outcome of neuropathies in relation to CD4+ cell count and HAART status of hospitalised HIV/AIDS patients in Shika. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive adult (e"15 years) non pregnant HIV- infected patients treated at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria from January 2006 to May 2013 with neuropathies were studied. Non HIV-infected patients with neurological disorders and HIV-infected patients without neuropathies were excluded. RESULTS: Of 5240 HIV/AIDS patients seen , 11% (566) presented with neuropathy at median CD4+ cell counts of 200 cells / ul, with yearly reduction of the frequency of patients with neuropathy from 3.9% in 2006 to 0.06% in 2013. Male: female ratio was 2:1 and respective mean years were 41.9±10.1: 45.3±17.4 (p<0.00). 253 (45%) were on HAART at presentation. 40 patients died and the mortality was associated with recurrent seizures, CD4+ cell counts d" 100 / ul, male sex, HAART-naivety and presence of co-morbidity and complications. CONCLUSIONS: The progressive reduction in the yearly frequency of neuropathy among HIV/AIDS patients suggests a beneficial effect of HAART on neuropathies. However, late presentation, low CD4+ cell counts and failure of patients to start HAART early were responsible for AIDS-related mortality thus highlighting the importance of early HIV screening and treatment.