Abstract
BackgroundMore than 90% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients will develop at least one type of skin disorder during the course of the disease. The prevalence and severity of skin disease commonly seen in HIV‐infected patients has decreased in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Few studies in Ethiopia have shown the magnitude of skin problems among adult patients on cART. The aim of this study is to describe the pattern of skin disease among adult patients who are on cART.MethodsCross‐sectional observational study at ALERT Hospital from April 2018 to November 2018. Patterns of clinically diagnosed skin diseases were summarized descriptively.ResultA total of 572 patients were evaluated. In total, 412 (72%) were female and the mean age of study participants was 40 (SD = 10.4). The median CD4 count at the time of diagnosis and start of cART were 178 (R 5‐2000) and 168 cells/μl (R 5‐1327), respectively. The mean duration of cART was 8 (SD = 3) years. 89.3% of patients were on first line and 7% on second line of cART regimen. Noninfectious inflammatory skin disorders (40.9%) were the most common concomitant diagnosis followed by infectious diseases (34.9%), infestation (7.7%), pigmentary disorders (6.3%) and cutaneous drug eruption (0.7%), respectively. Among the inflammatory skin disorders, 56.5% presented with eczema. One patient had Kaposi sarcoma.ConclusionNoninfectious inflammatory skin disorders are the most common concomitant skin disease in HIV‐infected patients, with eczema being most prevalent. Infectious skin diseases were also common presentations. In our study, AIDS‐defining skin conditions were rare.
Highlights
Cutaneous diseases are among the first recognized manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
The number of people dying from AIDS‐related diseases globally fell from a peak of 2.3 million in 2005 to an estimated 0.7 million in 2019.4 This encouragingly steep fall is a function of reduced HIV prevalence and increased access to combination antiretroviral therapy
We performed a cross‐sectional observational study of skin diseases in patients living with HIV and receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) who were seen at ALERT hospital
Summary
Cutaneous diseases are among the first recognized manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. More than 90% of HIV‐infected patients will develop at least one type of skin disorder during the course of their HIV infection[1] and these can reflect the underlying immune status. More than 90% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐ infected patients will develop at least one type of skin disorder during the course of the disease. Few studies in Ethiopia have shown the magnitude of skin problems among adult patients on cART. The aim of this study is to describe the pattern of skin disease among adult patients who are on cART. Conclusion: Noninfectious inflammatory skin disorders are the most common concomitant skin disease in HIV‐infected patients, with eczema being most prevalent.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
