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Jackson K, Wadley AL, Parker R. Managing pain in HIV/AIDS: a therapeutic relationship is as effective as an exercise and education intervention for rural amaXhosa women in South Africa. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:302. [PMID: 33546647 PMCID: PMC7866667 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10309-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pain is one of the most prevalent symptoms in people living with HIV/AIDS and is largely undermanaged. Both a peer-led exercise and education Positive Living programme (PL programme) and the PL programme workbook alone were previously found to be effective in reducing pain in urban amaXhosa Women Living With HIV/AIDS (WLWHA). A therapeutic relationship was hypothesised to have contributed to the efficacy of both interventions. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the PL programme and a therapeutic relationship, compared to a therapeutic relationship alone in managing pain amongst rural amaXhosa WLWHA on pain severity and pain interference, and secondary outcomes, symptoms of depression, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-efficacy. Methods In this two-group, single-blind, pragmatic clinical trial with stratified convenience sampling, the PL programme and therapeutic relationship, was compared to a therapeutic relationship alone in rural amaXhosa WLWHA. The PL programme was a 6-week, peer-led intervention comprising education on living well with HIV, exercise and goal setting. The therapeutic relationship comprised follow-up appointments with a caring research assistant. Outcome measures included pain severity and interference (Brief Pain Inventory), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), HRQoL (EuroQol 5-Dimensional outcome questionnaire) and self-efficacy (Self-efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-Item Scale). Follow-up was conducted at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks. Mixed model regression was used to test the effects of group, time, and group and time interactions of the interventions on outcome measures. Results Forty-nine rural amaXhosa WLWHA participated in the study: PL group n = 26; TR group n = 23. Both intervention groups were similarly effective in significantly reducing pain severity and interference and depressive symptoms, and increasing self-efficacy and HRQoL over the 48 weeks. A clinically important reduction in pain severity of 3.31 points occurred for the sample over the 48 weeks of the study. All of these clinical improvements were obtained despite low and suboptimal attendance for both interventions. Conclusions Providing a therapeutic relationship alone is sufficient for effective pain management amongst rural amaXhosa WLWHA. These findings support greater emphasis on demonstrating care and developing skills to enhance the therapeutic relationship in healthcare professionals working with rural amaXhosa WLWHA. Trial registration PACTR; PACTR201410000902600, 30th October 2014; https://pactr.samrc.ac.za. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10309-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty Jackson
- Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.,Zithulele Hospital, Eastern Cape Department of Health, Mqanduli, South Africa
| | - Antonia L Wadley
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Romy Parker
- Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa. .,Pain Management Unit; Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.
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Wadley AL, Venter WDF, Moorhouse M, Akpomiemie G, Serenata C, Hill A, Sokhela S, Mqamelo N, Kamerman PR. High individual pain variability in people living with HIV: A graphical analysis. Eur J Pain 2020; 25:160-170. [PMID: 32939898 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People living with HIV (PLWH) frequently experience pain. Following calls to analyse individual-level data in addition to group-level data in pain studies, we compared individual and group-level changes in pain prevalence, intensity and number of pain sites over 48 weeks in a large cohort of PLWH. This is the largest ever cohort study of pain in PLWH, and is the first to report pain at the level of the individual. METHODS Participants included all participants with complete pain records from a randomized clinical trial (RCT) for the treatment of HIV (n = 787/1053). At weeks 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 we assessed participants' pain in the last week; presence of pain, and if present, the intensity and locations of the pain. We used standard averaging methods to describe data at the group level, and unique graphical reporting methods to analyse data at the level of the individual. RESULTS Group-level data demonstrated a trend for pain prevalence to decline over time (19% week 0, 12% week 48). Worst pain intensity remained stable (median between 4/10 and 5/10), as did the number (median = 1) and common sites of pain across the 48 weeks. In contrast, individual-level data demonstrated high intra-individual variability with regards to the presence of pain, and the intensity and location of the pain. CONCLUSIONS While our group-level data were similar to previous longitudinal studies, an apparent reduction in pain over 48 weeks, the individual-level data showed large variability within individuals in that same time frame. SIGNIFICANCE This graphical analysis highlights the high variability in pain (pain prevalence, intensity and body sites) across time in people living with HIV, and how presenting averaged data hides this important variability. Our data support the reporting of individual-level data in human experimental and observational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Louise Wadley
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Willem D F Venter
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Michelle Moorhouse
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Godspower Akpomiemie
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Celicia Serenata
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Andrew Hill
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Simiso Sokhela
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Noxolo Mqamelo
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Peter R Kamerman
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.,School of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Pain in Clients Attending a South African Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center Was Frequent and Extensive But Did Not Depend on HIV Status. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2020; 83:181-188. [PMID: 31929406 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The frequency of pain is reported to be high in people living with HIV, but valid comparisons between people living with HIV and HIV-negative cohorts are rare. We investigated whether HIV infection influenced frequency and characteristics of pain in adults undergoing voluntary testing for HIV. SETTING Participants were recruited from an HIV voluntary counseling and testing center at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto, South Africa. METHODS Pain was assessed using the Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire. Depressive and anxiety symptomatology was determined using the Hopkins Symptom checklist-25. We then stratified by HIV status. RESULTS Data from 535 black South Africans were analyzed: HIV-infected n = 70, HIV-uninfected n = 465. Overall, frequency of any current pain was high with 59% [95% confidence interval (CI): 55 to 63, n: 316/535] of participants reporting pain, with no difference related to HIV status: HIV-infected 50% (95% CI: 37 to 61, n: 35/70), HIV-uninfected 60% (95% CI: 56 to 65, n: 281/465). Pain intensity and number of pain sites were similar between the groups as were symptoms of anxiety and depression: mean Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 1.72 (95% CI: 1.57 to 1.87) HIV-infected participants and 1.68 (95% CI: 1.63 to 1.73) HIV-uninfected participants. Univariate analysis showed female sex and greater depressive and anxiety symptomatology associated with pain. In a multivariable modeling, only depressive and anxiety symptomatology was retained in the model. CONCLUSION The high frequency of pain found in both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals presenting at a voluntary counseling and testing center was more likely to be associated with depression and anxiety, than with the presence or absence of HIV.
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Barriers to implementing clinical trials on nonpharmacological treatments in developing countries: lessons learnt from addressing pain in HIV. Pain Rep 2020; 4:e783. [PMID: 31984291 PMCID: PMC6903358 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Pain affects over half of the people living with HIV/AIDS (LWHA), and pharmacological treatment has limited efficacy. Preliminary evidence supports nonpharmacological interventions. We previously piloted a multimodal intervention in amaXhosa women LWHA and chronic pain in South Africa with improvements seen in all outcomes, in both intervention and control groups. A multicentre, single-blind randomised controlled trial with 160 participants recruited was conducted to determine whether the multimodal peer-led intervention reduced pain in different populations of both male and female South Africans LWHA. Participants were followed up at weeks 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 to evaluate effects on the primary outcome of pain, and on depression, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life. We were unable to assess the efficacy of the intervention due to a 58% loss to follow-up (LTFU). Secondary analysis of the LTFU found that sociocultural factors were not predictive of LTFU. Depression, however, did associate with LTFU, with greater severity of depressive symptoms predicting LTFU at week 8 (P = 0.01). We were unable to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention due to the high LTFU and the risk of retention bias. The different sociocultural context in South Africa may warrant a different approach to interventions for pain in HIV compared with resource-rich countries, including a concurrent strategy to address barriers to health care service delivery. We suggest that assessment of pain and depression need to occur simultaneously in those with pain in HIV. We suggest investigation of the effect of social inclusion on pain and depression.
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Parker R, Jelsma J, Stein DJ. Pain in amaXhosa women living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study of ambulant outpatients. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2017; 17:31. [PMID: 28407737 PMCID: PMC5390474 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-017-0388-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Pain is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in people living with HIV/AIDS, whether or not they are receiving anti-retroviral therapy. A recent systematic review identified a paucity of studies exploring pain in women in low and middle income countries. The prevalence and characteristics of pain in women living with HIV/AIDS may differ from that of men as many chronic pain conditions are more prevalent in women. The aims of this study were to establish pain prevalence, characteristics and management in amaXhosa women living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, we aimed to identify whether there were associations between pain in this population and the psychosocial factors of employment, education, self-efficacy, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, health related quality of life and childhood trauma. Methods A cross-sectional study of 229 women who had undergone HIV testing and were registered patients at a community health centre was conducted. Data were collected by interview with a demographic questionnaire, the Brief Pain Inventory-Xhosa, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Xhosa, Harvard Trauma Questionnaire–Xhosa for PTSD, Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-Item Scale-Xhosa; the EQ-5D health related quality of life instrument, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results 170 of the women had pain, a prevalence rate of 74.24% (95%CI 68.2 – 79.47%). The women reported significant pain with pain severity of 5.06 ± 1.57 and pain interference of 6.39 ± 1.96 out of 10. Only two women were receiving adequate pain management according to the pain management index. Participants reported a mean of 2.42 ± 1.21 different anatomical sites of pain. There were more unemployed participants in the group with pain and they had significantly fewer years of schooling. Those with pain had lower self-efficacy; health related quality of life and increased depression and PTSD symptom severity. Conclusion This study highlights that pain is a common problem for amaXhosa women living with HIV/AIDS. These data emphasise the need to prioritise pain assessment and management in amaXhosa women living with HIV/AIDS. Routinely assessing for the presence of pain in women with HIV/AIDS has the potential to improve pain management and minimise the impact of pain on function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy Parker
- Department of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Jennifer Jelsma
- Department of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, MRC Unit on Anxiety & Stress Disorders, Groote Schuur Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Wadley AL, Mitchell D, Kamerman PR. Resilience does not explain the dissociation between chronic pain and physical activity in South Africans living with HIV. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2464. [PMID: 27672513 PMCID: PMC5028784 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain burden is high in people living with HIV (PLWH), but the effect of this pain on functionality is equivocal. Resilience, the ability to cope with adversity, may promote adaptation to pain, so we hypothesised that higher resilience would correlate with less pain-related impairment of activity. We recruited 197 black South African PLWH, 99 with chronic pain (CP) and 98 patients without. We measured pain intensity and interference using the Brief Pain Inventory, and resilience using the Resilience Scale. Participants were generally highly resilient. Greater resilience correlated with better health-related quality of life, but not with pain intensity or interference. We also measured physical activity objectively, by actigraphy, in a subset of patients (37 with chronic pain and 31 without chronic pain), who wore accelerometers for two weeks. There was no difference in duration or intensity of activity between those with and without pain, and activity was not associated with resilience. In this sample, pain was not associated with altered physical activity. Resilience did not explain differences in pain intensity or pain interference but was associated with improved quality of life. Financial stresses and the fear of HIV stigma may have driven patients to conceal pain and to suppress its expected impairment of activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia L Wadley
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Duncan Mitchell
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Peter R Kamerman
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg , South Africa
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Managing Pain in Women Living With HIV/AIDS: A Randomized Controlled Trial Testing the Effect of a Six-Week Peer-Led Exercise and Education Intervention. J Nerv Ment Dis 2016; 204:665-72. [PMID: 27002748 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000000506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study tested an intervention program based on a chronic pain management model for pain. We conducted a trial of a 6-week, peer-led exercise and education intervention on pain in amaXhosa women living with HIV/AIDS. Participants were monitored over 15 months of routine care before randomization. The control group was provided with educational workbooks, and the experimental group attended the intervention. Pain was reassessed monthly for 4 months. There was no significant reduction in pain during 15 months of routine care and no difference between groups at any of the time points (d = 0.04). Both groups experienced equivalent pain reduction during the intervention compared with the period of routine care with meaningful reductions in pain at months 3 (Cohen's d = 0.41) and 4 (Cohen's d = 0.59). Provision of a workbook and participating in a 6-week peer-led exercise and education intervention are efficacious methods to treat pain in amaXhosa women living with HIV/AIDS.
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Cherry CL, Wadley AL, Kamerman PR. Diagnosing and treating HIV-associated sensory neuropathy: a global perspective. Pain Manag 2016; 6:191-9. [PMID: 26988147 DOI: 10.2217/pmt.15.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) is a common complication of HIV and remains highly prevalent even with modern HIV management strategies, causing debilitating pain in millions globally. We review HIV-SN diagnosis and management. We suggest most HIV-SN cases are easily recognized using clinical screening tools, with physician assessment and/or specialized testing prioritized for atypical cases. Management aims to prevent further nerve damage and optimize symptom control. Symptom relief is difficult and rarely complete, with a lack of proven pharmacological strategies. Work is needed to clarify optimal use of available medications. This includes understanding the marked placebo effect in HIV-SN analgesic trials and exploring 'responder phenotypes'. Limited data support nondrug strategies including hypnosis, meditation, psychology, physical activity and a positive therapeutic relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine L Cherry
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital & Burnet Institute, Monash University, Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Antonia L Wadley
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Peter R Kamerman
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Soyannwo OA. Improved neuropathic pain treatment in developing countries--a critical review of WHO essential list. Pain 2016; 156:763-764. [PMID: 25719619 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olaitan A Soyannwo
- Hospice and Palliative Care Unit, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Mphahlele NR, Kamerman PR, Mitchell D. Progression of pain in ambulatory HIV-positive South Africans. Pain Manag Nurs 2014; 16:e1-8. [PMID: 25175556 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2014.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cross-sectional studies report that pain in ambulatory HIV-infected individuals is frequent and often undermanaged. Expanding access to HIV treatment in developing countries means that infected individuals are living longer, but there is a dearth of pain-directed studies from developing countries that describe the progression of pain and its treatment over any period of time. The aim of this study was to characterize the progression of pain and its treatment over a 6-month period in 92 ambulatory HIV-positive patients attending an outpatient clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. We used the Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire to assess changes in pain intensity, pain sites, pain interference, and pain treatment. At visit 1, pain was present in 78 of 92 patients (85%). Of the 78 patients with pain, 67 had moderate or severe pain (86%) and pain affected two or more body sites simultaneously in 57 of these patients (73%). After 6 months, pain prevalence still was high, but had fallen to 50 patients (54%). Of the patients with pain at visit 2, the proportion with moderate or severe pain (82%), or two or more pain sites (62%) had decreased. Analgesic use was low at both time points (5% and 25% analgesic use at visit 1 and 2, respectively). Despite the high pain burden, pain interference in daily activities was very low across the period assessed. The burden of pain in this cohort of ambulatory HIV-positive patients was high, but there were significant reductions in pain burden over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noko R Mphahlele
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Peter R Kamerman
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.
| | - Duncan Mitchell
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
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Abstract
HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) remains a common neurological complication of HIV infection despite the introduction of effective antiretroviral therapies. Exposure to neurotoxic antiretroviral drugs and increasing age have consistently been identified as risk factors for HIV-SN, while comorbid conditions with underlying predisposition to cause peripheral neuropathy (eg, diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, isoniazid exposure), ethnicity, and increasing height also have been implicated. Genetic association studies have identified genes affecting mitochondrial function and genes involved in the inflammatory response that modify the risk for HIV-SN among patients exposed to neurotoxic antiretrovirals. However, there is a lack of data on clinical, demographic, and genetic risk factors for HIV-SN in the modern era, with the rate of HIV-SN remaining unacceptably high despite the introduction of safer medications. Thus, more work is required to identify the principal factors that increase an individual's risk for HIV-SN so that effective preventative or therapeutic strategies can be implemented.
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Mphahlele NR, Mitchell D, Kamerman PR. Pain in ambulatory HIV-positive South Africans. Eur J Pain 2011; 16:447-58. [PMID: 22337525 DOI: 10.1002/j.1532-2149.2011.00031.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the prevalence and intensity of pain, factors associated with having pain, and analgesic medications employed in a population consisting predominantly of Black African and female human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals attending outpatient clinics in a rural (n = 125; 79% female; 100% Black African) and a metropolitan (n = 396; 75% female; 94% Black African) area of South Africa. Pain intensity, interference and treatment were assessed using the Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire. Seventy-two percent of rural participants and 56% of metropolitan participants had pain at the time of the interview, and this pain was moderate to severe in intensity in 60% of rural participants and 59% of metropolitan participants. Forty-six percent of rural participants and 61% of metropolitan participants had multiple pain sites. The most common pain sites in rural participants were the abdomen (30%), chest (26%), head (19%) and genitals (15%), while in the metropolitan cohort the head (39%), feet (33%), chest (30%) and abdomen (20%) were the most common sites. In the rural cohort, antiretroviral therapy was independently associated with reduced risk of pain, while in the metropolitan cohort increasing age was weakly, but independently associated with having pain. Pharmacological management of pain was poor, with 29% of rural participants and 55% of metropolitan participants with pain not receiving any treatment. Of those receiving treatment, no participants were receiving strong opioids, and only 3% of metropolitan participants were receiving a weak opioid. Thus, HIV-related pain is common and is poorly treated in both the rural and metropolitan setting in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Mphahlele
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, South Africa
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