Epidemiology of the ocular complications of HIV infection in Chiang Mai.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the magnitude of ocular complications in HIV infection in Chiang Mai, and determine the signs or symptoms that indicate the risk factors for developing ocular complications in HIV-positive patients


METHODS
A prospective study was carried out in newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients seen in the Ocular Infectious Disease Clinic of Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital from March 1, 2000 through February 28, 2001. A complete ophthalmic examination was performed on each patient together with a systemic evaluation of present illness and current medications.


RESULTS
Three-hundred and ninety-five HIV-positive patients were seen for ophthalmic evaluation. Of these, 90 were in stage A (asymptomatic), 84 were in stage B (symptomatic), and 221 were in stage C (AIDS). Ocular complications were found in 44.6 per cent of the patients. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis was the most common ophthalmic complication (33%). Other ocular complications included cotton wool spot (8%), uveitis (4%), optic neuropathy (3%), and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (2%). The clinical presenting symptoms, which were the indicators for ocular complications and CMV retinitis, included chronic cough, oral thrush, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, wasting, and skin disorders. Ocular symptoms, which indicated a high risk of developing CMV retinitis, included flashing, floaters, and scotoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Ocular complications are common in HIV-positive patients. CMV retinitis, which is a major vision-threatening problem, represented the most common finding. It is recommended that HIV-positive patients should have their eyes examined regularly, particularly when they have the clinical presenting symptoms previously mentioned. The patients should also notice early symptoms of CMV retinitis, which includes flashing, floaters, and scotoma.
Ausayakhun
Somsanguan
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
Watananikorn
Sopa
S
Ittipunkul
Nimitr
N
Chaidaroon
Winai
W
Patikulsila
Prapatsorn
P
Patikulsila
Direk
D
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology