Diagnostic utility of the subjective peripheral neuropathy screen in HIV-infected persons with peripheral sensory polyneuropathy

AIDS Read. 2005 Jul;15(7):341-4, 348-9, 354.

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of the Johns Hopkins University HIV neurology database was performed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Subjective Peripheral Neuropathy Screen (SPNS) for detecting HIV-associated neuropathies. The SPNS, a 3-item scale that evaluates lower extremity neuropathic symptoms, was administered to 75 patients from the HIV neurology outpatient clinic. Patients graded the severity of each symptom on a scale of 1 to 10, and the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic efficiency of the SPNS were calculated for each symptom. The results showed that the SPNS had a sensitivity of 47%, a specificity of 83%, a positive predictive value of 70%, and a diagnostic efficacy of 67%. The SPNS appears to be a useful screening tool for HIV-associated sensory neuropathies; it has a high specificity and a good positive predictive value.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hypesthesia / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurology / methods*
  • Pain / pathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / complications*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Polyneuropathies / complications
  • Polyneuropathies / diagnosis
  • Polyneuropathies / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires