Abdominal ultrasonography in HIV/AIDS patients in southwestern Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Though the major target of the HIV-virus is the immune system, the frequency of abdominal disorders in HIV/AIDS patients has been reported to be second only to pulmonary disease. These abdominal manifestations may be on the increase as the use of antiretroviral therapy has increased life expectancy and improved quality of life. Ultrasonography is an easy to perform, non invasive, inexpensive and safe imaging technique that is invaluable in Africa where AIDS is most prevalent and where sophisticated diagnostic tools are not readily available.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the findings and evaluate the clinical utility of abdominal ultrasonography in HIV/AIDS patients in Ibadan, Nigeria


METHODS
A Prospective evaluation of the abdominal ultrasonography of 391 HIV-positive patients as well as 391 age and sex-matched HIV-negative patients were carried out at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.


RESULTS
Of the 391 cases studied, 260 (66.5%) were females; the mean age was 38.02 years, (range 15-66 years). The disease was most prevalent in the 4th decade with an incidence of 40.4%. Compared with the HIV-negative individuals, the HIV+ group of patients had a significantly higher proportion of splenomegaly (13.5% vs. 7.7%; p < 0.01), lymphadenopathy (2.0% vs. 1.3%; p < 0.70), and renal abnormalities (8.4% vs. 3.8%; p < 0.02). There were no differences in hepatic and pancreatic abnormalities between the HIV+ and HIV- groups. There were significantly fewer gallstones in the HIV+ group (1.4% vs. 5.1%; p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
AIDS is a multi-systemic disease and its demographic and clinical pattern remains the same globally. Ultrasonography is optimally suited for its clinical management especially in Africa. Its accuracy and sensitivity may be much improved with clinico-pathologic correlation which may not be readily available in developing countries; further studies may provide this much needed diagnostic algorithms.
Obajimi
Millicent O
MO
Department of Radiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. millieobaj@yahoo.com
Atalabi
Mojisola O
MO
Ogbole
Godwin I
GI
Adeniji-Sofoluwe
Adenike T
AT
Agunloye
Atinuke M
AM
Adekanmi
Ademola J
AJ
Osuagwu
Yvonne U
YU
Olarinoye
Sefiat A
SA
Olusola-Bello
Mojisola A
MA
Ogunseyinde
Ayotunde O
AO
Aken'Ova
Yetunde A
YA
Adewole
Isaac F
IF
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography