Self-care management for neuropathy in HIV disease

• Published in: AIDS care Vol. 14; no. 6; pp. 763 - 771
• Main Authors: Nicholas, P. K., Kemppainen, J. K., Holzemer, W. L., Nokes, K. M., Eller, L. Sanzero, Corless, I. B., Bunch, E. Haugen, Bain, C. A., Kirksey, K. M., Davis, S. M., Goodroad, B. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01-12-2002; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antiviral Agents - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Cranial nerves. Spinal roots. Peripheral nerves. Autonomic nervous system. Gustation. Olfaction; Disease; Female; Health care; HIV; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - drug therapy; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Patient Education as Topic; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - chemically induced; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - therapy; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - virology; Peripheral neuropathy; Self Care - methods; Selfcare; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; United States; Norway; North America; Europe; America; Physical exercise; Social environment; Prevalence; Disease; Self evaluation; Multicenter study; Mental health; Peripheral neuropathy; Alcoholic beverage; Selfcare; Information source; Marihuana; Complication; Peripheral nerve disease; Public health; Consumption; Human; Immunopathology; Nervous system diseases; Crosscultural study; Illicit drug; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Infection; Symptomatology; Chemotherapy; Concomitant disease; Treatment; Individual behavior; Alternative medicine; Viral disease; Comparative study; Somatic disease
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/0954012021000031831

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological complication in HIV and is often associated with antiretroviral therapy. As part of a larger study on self-care for symptoms in HIV disease, this study analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of peripheral neuropathy in HIV disease, the self-care strategies, and sources of information for self-care utilized by the sample. A convenience sample of 422 respondents was recruited from an Internet web-based site developed by the University of California, San Francisco International HIV/AIDS Research Network and from five geographic data collection sites (Boston, New York City, San Francisco and Paterson in the USA, and Oslo, Norway). Results of the study indicated that respondents with peripheral neuropathy identified 77 self-care behaviours including complementary therapies, use of medications, exercise and rest and/or elevation of extremities. Sources of information included health care providers, informal networks and media sources.