The neuromuscular manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infections.

We studied 14 patients with neuromuscular disorders and concomitant infection with human immunodeficiency virus to define clinical syndromes and prognosis. Eight patients had painful sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy; two, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; two, mononeuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex; one, recurrent myoglobinuria; and one, chronic proximal weakness and elevated creatine kinase levels. All eight patients with painful neuropathy had overt symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy was the first manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in both patients with this syndrome. Both died from overwhelming sepsis within six months of the neuropathy's onset. Patients with mononeuropathy multiplex had a variable course. Immunosuppressant medication had no effect in two patients.