Peripheral Neuropathy (N=204)
Exposure to HAART regimens containing d-drugs (ddI, Hivid or zalcitabine (ddC), or d4T) is known to cause or contribute to peripheral neuropathy in some cases; however it is unclear how specific drugs, duration of exposure, and recency of exposure interact with individual characteristics as risk factors for developing distal sensory-predominant polyneuropathy (DSPN). To investigate these questions, Group B enrolled participants into three subgroups: (1) no clinical DSPN (no signs or symptoms of DSPN); (2) asymptomatic DSPN (1 or more signs of DSPN, but no symptoms); (3) symptomatic DSPN (both signs and symptoms present). Severity of neuropathy was characterized according to the Total Neuropathy Score, including nerve conduction studies and quantitative sensory testing. Serum lactate levels were measured as a marker of mitochondrial dysfunction to investigate whether changes in lactate levels correlate with stabilization or improvement in neuropathy as measured by the Total Neuropathy Score.
| Cross-sectional | 1st Longitudinal | |
| Age | 43.0 (8.9) | 43.8 (8.9) |
| Education | 12.9 (2.3) | 12.9 (2.3) |
| Gender (% male) | 82% | 82% |
| Caucasian | 48% | 48% |
| Hispanic | 16% | 16% |
| African American | 34% | 34% |
| Other | 2% | 2% |
| % AIDS | 53% | 54% |
| CD4 | 470 (306 - 672) | 497 (306 - 692) |
| Log 10 Plasma HIV RNA | 2.37 (1.70 - 4.08) | 1.72 (1.70 - 3.97) |
| Log10 CSF HIV RNA | 1.70 (1.70 - 2.40) | 1.70 (1.70 - 2.52) |
| NP Impairment (% impaired) | 45% | 35% |
