Burden of HIV-Related Neuropathic Pain in the United States

HIV-related neuropathic pain (HIV-NeP) is common; however, the burden of HIV-NeP is not well-understood.

The cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the HIV-NeP burden. A total of 103 patients with HIV-NeP recruited during routine office visits completed a questionnaire to assess patient-reported outcomes, including pain severity, health status, sleep, mood, and lost productivity. Physicians completed a 6-month retrospective chart review.

The sample was predominantly male and not employed for pay. A majority (75.7%) of patients experienced moderate or severe pain. Pain interference, general health, physical health, and depression were worse among patients with more severe pain (all Ps < .006). Most (87.4%) patients were prescribed at least 1 medication for NeP. HIV-related neuropathic pain was associated with 36.1% work impairment. Adjusted annualized costs increased with increasing pain severity (P < .0001).

The impact of HIV-NeP on health status, physical function, and depression increases with severity, resulting in substantial clinical and economic burden.