Prevalence of HIV-related pain in Japan: a clinical survey

• DOI: 10.1007/s00540-025-03493-y
• Publication Date: 2025-04-16T12:36:56Z
• Authors: Megumi Kanao-Kanda; Sarah Kyuragi Luthe; Yoshiko Onodera; Izumi Sato; Tomoyuki Endo; Tomoyuki Kawamata; Hirotsugu Kanda

Abstract

Background Although human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related peripheral neuropathies are among the most common neurological complications in patients with HIV infection, the prevalence and patient characteristics of HIV-related pain and peripheral neuropathic pain in Japan remain unclear.

Objectives This study aims to investigate the prevalence and patient characteristics of HIV-related pain with a focus on peripheral neuropathic pain among Japanese patients.

Methods We conducted a survey among patients diagnosed with HIV infection and reviewed their medical records to collect the following information; age, sex, presence of pain or numbness, duration of pain or numbness, duration of HIV infection, clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4) T-cell count, ribonucleic acid (RNA) load, diagnosis and duration of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), treatment status and duration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The primary outcome of this study was the prevalence of HIV-related pain with a focus on peripheral neuropathic pain.

Results A survey was distributed to 474 patients, of whom 270 chose not to participate. Consequently, data from 204 patients were included in the analysis. The prevalence of HIV-related pain was 16% and patients with possible HIV-related peripheral neuropathic pain was 9.3%. Among these patients, age, presence of numbness, duration of numbness, and duration of AIDS were significantly higher than in patients without HIV-related pain.

Conclusions In this prospective multi-center cross-sectional study, the prevalence of HIV-related pain was 16% among 204 Japanese patients with HIV in which they tended to have advanced age and longer duration of AIDS compared to patients without HIV-related pain.