The Processes by Which Persons with HIV-Related Peripheral Neuropathy Manage Their Symptoms: A Qualitative Study

A variety of peripheral neuropathies occur throughout the course of HIV infection, with the most common peripheral nerve disorder of late HIV infection being distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy (DSPN). Current management strategies often fail to achieve satisfactory pain relief. This study was designed to explore the everyday life experiences related to DSPN in persons with AIDS (PWAs) and the behaviors they initiate to alleviate the symptoms. A qualitative study using a grounded theory approach was used to better understand the impact DSPN has on PWAs. Many interventions were attempted and were ineffective; the effective ones were highly individualized. Emerging themes in the delimiting debilitation continuum included isolating the symptom cluster, inventing and testing interventions, and assimilating the annoyance. Results indicated a need for better DSPN assessment by nurses and teaching strategy development to manage the symptoms, and development of strategies to combat functional DSPN disabilities.