Predictors of attrition in HIV-positive subjects with peripheral neuropathic pain.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Davis L, Evans S, Fishman B, Haley A, Spielman L
Journal AIDS Care
Volume 16
Issue 3
Pagination 395-402
Date Published 04/01/2004
ISSN 0954-0121
Keywords Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, HIV Infections, Pain Management, Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
Abstract The objective of this paper was to identify predictors of attrition in a study designed to assess whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was more helpful than supportive therapy (SP) in reducing pain associated with peripheral neuropathy in HIV-positive patients. Sixty-one subjects were randomized into either CBT or SP for six weekly one-hour sessions. Twenty-eight subjects dropped out before week six. Demographic variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and level of education were not predictive of attrition. However, higher scores on the Hamilton Depression Inventory (HAM-D, 17-item) (t (59) = - 0.09, p<0.05) were predictive. These findings suggest that while dropouts were not more physically ill (e.g. CD4 counts, viral loads and opportunistic infections were not statistically higher), they reported greater psychological distress.
DOI 10.1080/09540120410001665394
PubMed ID 15203432
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