Analyzing the prevalence of proctological diseases in HIV-positive and -negative patients

Análise da prevalência de doenças proctológicas em pacientes HIV positivo e negativo

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To compare proctological diseases in HIV-positive and -negative patients.

Method:

Prospective study conducted in the proctology outpatient clinic at Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas from 2013 through 2019. All of them underwent anamnesis and proctological examination and were divided into two groups (HIV+ and HIV−). The groups were then compared with regard to age, sex, diagnosis, and whether or not there was any indication for surgery.

Results:

485 HIV + patients (41.9%) (Group I) and 672 HIV− (58.1%) (Group II). The mean age in Group I was 42.8 years, and 404 (83.3%) of the patients were males. In Group II, the mean age was 48.3 years, and 396 (59%) patients were females. In comparing the groups, a statistically significant difference was found regarding sex, age, and diagnosis. The incidence of hemorrhoid and anal skin tags was higher in group II and that of condyloma acuminata was higher in in Group I (p < 0.001). In Group I, condyloma acuminata was more prevalent, but in those with CD4 levels above 500 cells/mm³, the diagnoses were more similar to those in the population without HIV.

Conclusions:

Proctological diseases were found to be similar but have different incidences. The incidences of diseases in HIV− and + patients tend to approach each other as CD4 level increases.

Keywords:
HIV; Colorectal surgery; Hemorrhoids; Fissure in ano; Rectal fistula