Margaret M. Mweshi,Richwell Hakacha,Martha Banda-Chalwe,Peter D. C. Phiri,Elliot Kafumukache,Stephanie Nixon
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, April 2016
Pages:
12-18
Received:
1 March 2016
Accepted:
29 March 2016
Published:
25 April 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijnpt.20160202.11
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Abstract: Background: The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the prognosis of patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from invariable death to a manageable chronic condition, with a near-normal life expectancy. However, sensory peripheral neuropathy remains the common complication despite the effective combination of HAART. Little has been reported on the extent of the problem of common neuropathies in adults on HAART in Zambia. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of common neuropathies in adults on HAART and rate of physiotherapy referral among the patients that were seen at the Maina Soko Military Hospital (MSMH). Methods and Results: Data was collected retrospectively from clinical files of patients that were treated on HAART between the years 2011-2013 using a checklist. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used for descriptive analysis. A total of 214 clinical files of adults on HAART were identified during the period under review and only 24 cases had some form neuropathies giving a period prevalence of 11.2%. The majority 46% (n=11) age range being 31 to 45 years with more 58% (n=14) females than males 42% (n=10). Almost half 54% (n=13) of the patients were on tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz. The most common type of neuropathy 59% (n=14) was polyneuropathy with autonomic neuropathies as co-morbidities and most of these patients 75% (n=18) had not been referred to physiotherapy. Conclusions: Neuropathies are becoming a common problem in patients on HAART given the rising prevalence. Rate of physiotherapy referral among the cases is very low. It is highly recommended that another study on prevalence of neuropathies in adults on HAART be done over a longer period of time to include other hospitals in Zambia. Physiotherapists in Zambia are also challenged to provide evidence on the impact of the interventions given to patients with neuropathies on HAART.Abstract: Background: The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the prognosis of patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from invariable death to a manageable chronic condition, with a near-normal life expectancy. However, sensory peripheral neuropathy remains the common complication despite the effective combination of ...Show More
