Abstracts

RATIONALE:The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Gabapentin in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy in individuals with HIV infection using the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS).One of the most common neurological complications of HIV disease are peripheral neuropathies.Gabapentin, an antiepileptic drug, is frequently used in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy associated with HIV infection due to its negligible interaction potential with antiretroviral therapy. The NPS used in this study has been found to be sensitive to treatments known to impact neuropathic pain. METHODS:_We are studying 30+ HIV infected patients who are currently being treated for peripheral neuropathy with gabapentin at specialty clinics in the Denver area teaching hospitals. We are mailing 2 sets of the NPS and one set of the MCGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) to the study participants. The subjects have been instructed to fill one set of the NPS items for their pain levels prior to gabapentin therapy. The second set of NPS items and the MPQ is for their pain levels after initiation of gabapentin therapy.Statistical analyses for efficacy will be conducted on the 2 sets of data collected, before and after changes in NPS score per patient evaluation. We are also comparing average daily scores on the MPQ and NPS after initiation of Gabapentin. RESULTS:_The primary efficacy measure is change in average daily pain scores based on the NPS. CONCLUSIONS:_ Preliminary results indicate that gabapentin may be effective in the treatment of pain associated with peripheral neuropathy in HIV infected individuals.