Abstract
BackgroundHIV infection and meningitis are diseases which are known to precipitate malnutrition. Skin manifestations of malnutrition are easy to identify. We tried to describe the skin manifestations of malnutrition in HIV-positive patients with meningitis.SettingPatients included in the study were from a tertiary referral hospital in South India.MethodsIn a cross-sectional observational design, we studied 56 adult [> 14 years] HIV-seropositive patients with meningitis by clinical assessment of skin manifestations of malnutrition.ResultsSkin wasting (31.5%), hyperpigmentation of skin (22.2%) and skin ulceration (16.4%) were the chief skin manifestations of malnutrition in HIV-positive patients with meningitis.ConclusionsOur study shows that certain cutaneous features of malnutrition like skin ulcers, skin wasting and hypo pigmentation are common in HIV patients with meningitis.
Highlights
Malnutrition is common in patients with HIV infection
We describe the observed features of skin manifestations of malnutrition in HIV-positive patients with meningitis in a tertiary hospital
We included 56 HIV-seropositive patients diagnosed with meningitis out of 63 recruited
Summary
Malnutrition is common in patients with HIV infection. This may be due to decreased nutrient intake, impaired nutrient absorption, changes in metabolism, and increased requirements of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals (Shenkin 2006). We tried to describe the skin manifestations of malnutrition in HIV-positive patients with meningitis. Methods: In a cross-sectional observational design, we studied 56 adult [> 14 years] HIV-seropositive patients with meningitis by clinical assessment of skin manifestations of malnutrition. Results: Skin wasting (31.5%), hyperpigmentation of skin (22.2%) and skin ulceration (16.4%) were the chief skin manifestations of malnutrition in HIV-positive patients with meningitis. Conclusions: Our study shows that certain cutaneous features of malnutrition like skin ulcers, skin wasting and hypo pigmentation are common in HIV patients with meningitis
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