HIV Dermatology in Canada: Cutaneous Disease Burden and Demographic Characteristics of a Specialized Urban Practice

Abstract

The introduction of antiretroviral therapies has changed the pattern of cutaneous disease in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To assess demographic characteristics, severity of immunosuppression, and frequency of dermatologic disorders in patients presenting to a Canadian specialized HIV dermatology practice. A cross-sectional study was performed of 183 consecutive outpatient and inpatient consultations to a single HIV dermatology practice from January 2007 to December 2008. One hundred sixty-three (88%) patients were male, with an average age of 45. Forty-six patients were not on antiretroviral therapy. Verruca was the most common diagnosis, seen in 29 patients, followed by dermatophyte infection, seen in 27. Patients with a low CD4 count (p = .0001) and a high viral load (p = .0043) were more likely to present with an HIV-specific dermatosis. Cutaneous infections were the most common diagnoses in this cross section. Classic HIV dermatoses were seen more frequently in those with more advanced disease owing to HIV infection.