Comparison of Pain in Male Drug Rehabilitees with and without Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Yunnan Province, China

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare pain symptoms in drug rehabilitees with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Yunnan Province, China. MATERIAL/METHODS: This was a retrospective single-center cohort study. A total of 120 male substance users, including 65 with HIV, were enrolled after admission to the Fifth Drug Rehabilitation Center in Yunnan Province. Individuals who were >18 years of age and who had illicit drugs detected in their urine, despite not having used drugs for at least 2 months, were included. The patients evaluated their average pain intensity for the previous 4 weeks using a visual analog scale. PainDETECT questionnaire scores were used to classify pain into nociceptive and mixed component subgroups. Sleep quality was also evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale. RESULTS: The prevalence and intensity of the pain symptoms were higher for the drug rehabilitees with HIV than for those without HIV. Moreover, the rehabilitees with HIV were more likely to experience neuropathic and nociceptive pain, whereas those without HIV reported only nociceptive pain. The sleep quality of the rehabilitees with HIV was also lower, regardless of the pain symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the drug rehabilitees with HIV in Yunnan Province, China, experienced more frequent and stronger pain (both nociceptive and neuropathic) than those without HIV. They also experienced poorer sleep quality, although it was unrelated to pain. Our results provide data to support clinical diagnosis and treatment.