Disability, fatigue and peripheral neuropathy in adolescents with perinatal HIV infection

ABSTRACT Perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIVA) experience many physical sequelae, but little is known about their levels of disability, fatigue or peripheral neuropathy. This study aimed to determine these sequelae through a cross-sectional analysis in a population of PHIVA and HIV-negative adolescents, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Outcome measures used were the HIV-related Fatigue Scale, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 and the Brief Peripheral Neuropathy Screen, to measure fatigue, level of disability and peripheral neuropathy, respectively. Of the 249 participants assessed, 59% (n = 147) were PHIVA, and the mean age of the participants was 12 years. Clinical data for the PHIVA group showed that the majority (87.1%) were virally suppressed. When compared to the HIV-negative group, PHIVA presented with significantly greater levels of fatigue intensity [1.2(SD±0.5) vs. 1.5(SD±0.9) p = 0.022] and disability [9.2(±6.8) vs. 11.5(±8.9) p = 0.023], with specific limitations in mobility, self-care and participation. No significant differences in peripheral neuropathy were found. In conclusion, PHIVA face challenges with disability and fatigue highlighting the necessity of comprehensive management for this population.