An endoscopic and pathological survey of digestive tract disorders in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus monitored in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases from Tirgu Mures, Romania.

UNLABELLED

Gastrointestinal symptoms are among the most frequent complaints of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

PURPOSE

An endoscopic and histopathological survey of digestive tract diseases among HIV-infected patients monitored in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases I from Tirgu Mures, Romania.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective, observational study, on a group of 38 HIV-positive patients admitted to the Clinic of Infectious Diseases I from Tirgu Mures, Romania, during 2006-2013, undergoing upper/lower endoscopy. We collected data regarding the results of endoscopy and histopathological examination, CD4+ T-lymphocytes levels, microbiological examinations and outcome. Statistical analysis, performed by using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and GraphPad Prism 5 programs, included contingency tables analysis and comparing means.

RESULTS

Our study depicted a variety of digestive disorders among HIV-infected patients, ranging from opportunistic infections to HIV enteropathy and non-HIV-associated conditions. The presence of Candida esophagitis implied significantly lower levels of CD4+ T-cells (p=0.0043). We found a statistically significant negative association between antiretroviral therapy and the presence of opportunistic infections (p=0.0375, OR=0.2030, 95% CI 0.0423-0.9741). Thirteen (34.21%) patients died, mostly due to tuberculosis and central nervous system infections. All were diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected patients experience a wide variety of digestive tract disorders, both AIDS-defining illnesses and non-HIV-associated conditions. Gastrointestinal opportunistic infections occur more often among patients with low CD4+ T-cells levels and in those not receiving antiretroviral therapy. Although digestive conditions did not represent direct causes of death in our study, they may predict an unfavorable outcome in AIDS-stage patients.