A retrospective study to determine if hydroxyurea augmentation of antiretroviral drug regimens that contain ddI and/or d4T increases the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy in HIV-1 infected individuals.

PURPOSE: To determine if hydroxyurea augmentation of antiretroviral drug regimens that contain ddI and/or d4T increases the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy in HIV-1 infected individuals. In addition, to determine predictors of peripheral neuropathy occurrence in HIV-1 infected individuals who are on a ddI- and/or d4T-containing antiretroviral drug regimen.
METHODS: A multi-center retrospective medical record abstraction study design was used. Data were collected as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Adult and Adolescent Spectrum of HIV Disease Surveillance Initiative.
RESULTS: The occurrence of peripheral neuropathy for patients who had hydroxyurea augmentation was 20.0% (7 out of 35) and 5.8% (53 out of 918) for those who had no hydroxyurea augmentation (p=0.005). Multiple logistic regression indicated that the following were statistically significant predictors of peripheral neuropathy occurrence in HIV-1 infected patients who are on a ddI- and/or d4T-containing antiretroviral drug regimen: hydroxyurea augmentation (p=0.004); history of isoniazid use (p=0.014), current use of dapsone (p=0.015), and current use of ddC (p=0.039).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that hydroxyurea augmentation of a ddI- and/or d4T-containing antiretroviral drug regimen may increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy occurrence in HIV-1 infected patients. Copyright (c) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.