Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms among ambulatory HIV patients and a control population

BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal tract is a common site of involvement in HIV-infected patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in the general population and are associated with decreased quality of life. METHODS: Ambulatory consecutive HIV-infected patients and consecutive healthy blood donors seen in Jamaica were studied. A 19-item questionnaire of GI symptoms was administered. RESULTS: There were 196 respondents. Among 99 HIV patients, the mean number of symptoms was 2.9 and in 97 controls 3.3 (p=0.091). Dysphagia and odynophagia were present in 8.1% of HIV patients and 3.1% of the controls (p=0.129). Belching was present in 59.6% of HIV patients and in 96.8% of controls (p≤0.001). In the control group, 44.3% had heartburn compared to 29.3% of HIV patients. Within the preceding year, 26.3% of HIV participants and 12.4% of controls sought medical attention for their GI symptoms (p=0.001). GI symptomatology was directly related to immune status in the HIV group as patients with a CD4 count of less than 200 cells/μL reported up to 6 GI symptoms, those with CD4 of 201-350 cells/μL had 3 symptoms, and patients with CD4 greater than 351 cells/μL had 1 symptom. Pain on swallowing, and vomiting were significantly more common in patients with CD4 <350 cells/μL than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: GI symptoms were common in HIV patients and controls. In HIV patients symptoms were directly related to CD4 count. Pain on swallowing and vomiting were significantly more common in patients with CD4 <350 cells/μL than in controls.