[Rheumatic manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)].

120 AIDS patients (mean age 33 +/- 9 years, 108 males) were evaluated regarding rheumatic manifestations. According to CDC's classification, 18.3% belonged to group II, 28.3% to group III, and 53.4% to group IV. Arthralgia was present in 33 patients (27.5%), and in only 8 could be associated with infections other than HIV (5 cases of tuberculosis, 3 P. carinii, and 1 gonococcal infection). Incidence of arthralgia was equal in either sex. Arthritis was present in 8 patients, 2 of them with Reiter's syndrome. In 6 patients arthralgia was the first symptom (3 with arthritis) before AIDS diagnosis. There was a higher incidence of dry mouth, dry eyes, and muscular complaints in patients with arthralgia than in patients without arthralgia. Antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor were absent in the serum of the patients studied. Arthritic manifestations possibly occur in AIDS, even in patients without other clinical manifestations, as a reactive state to HIV infection.