High prevalence of distal sensory polyneuropathy in antiretroviral-treated and untreated people with HIV in Tanzania

Objectives? To describe the prevalence of distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP), a complication of both advanced HIV disease and of antiretroviral therapy (ART), amongst Tanzanians with HIV, on and off ART (including stavudine) with CD4 counts above and below 200?cells/?l. Methods? We recruited participants attending ART clinic into four groups: >6?months ART exposure and (i) CD4? ?200?cells/?l (ART/CD4? ?200, respectively); ART-nai?½ve and (iii) CD4? ?200?cells/?l (noART/CD4? ?200, respectively). Primary outcome was DSP, as defined by presence of at least one symptom and one sign. Results? Of 326 evaluable participants, 81 (32 men, median age 38?years, median CD4 142?cells/?l) were enrolled in the ART/CD4? ?200, 81 (30 men, median age 37?years, median CD4 128?cells/?l) in noART/CD4? ?200. Numbness was the most commonly reported symptom. DSP prevalence ranged from 43.2% in ART/CD4? ?200. DSP was more common among men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-3.3) and older participants (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1-6.2 for age 40?+?vs.