[Current prevalence and characteristics of dermatoses associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection].
BACKGROUND
The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy has produced a substantial change in the natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The frequency of opportunistic infections and AIDS-related cancers has fallen, though new health problems have developed. Likewise, there has been a change in the spectrum of skin diseases now observed in these patients.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of skin disease in a group of HIV-infected outpatients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, observational study was performed. All patients who attended the day care unit of the infectious diseases department over a 6-month period (May-October, 2003) were offered the possibility of complete dermatologic examination. Epidemiologic and clinical variables were recorded in all participants, together with the findings on examination of the skin. A comparative study was performed, grouping the patients according to CD4-lymphocyte count and antiretroviral treatment.


RESULTS
The prevalence of dermatoses in the study patients was 98.3%. The most common conditions were xerosis (114 patients, 37.6%), seborrheic dermatitis (94 patients, 31%), distal subungual onychomycosis (80 patients, 26.4%), and viral warts (65 patients, 21.4%). Grouped by etiology, infectious diseases were the most common (68.6%), followed by inflammatory diseases (47.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Mucocutaneous lesions continue to be very common in HIV-infected patients, although there has been a qualitative change in the conditions that these patients present.
Hospital Marina Baixa, Villajoyosa, Alicante, España. blanes_marmar@gva.es
M
M
Blanes
I
I
Belinchón
E
E
Merino
J
J
Portilla
J
J
Sánchez-Payá
I
I
Betlloch
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents