Otolaryngologic manifestations among HIV/AIDS patients in a Nigerian tertiary health institution: an update

Abstract

INTRODUCTION/AIM: This study is to determine these manifestations among HIV/AIDS patients in Ilorin to update on previous study. METHOD: This was a prospective study of all consecutive new patients confirmed to be HIV positive attending the HIV clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria between January and July, 2009. These patients were on HAART anti retroviral drug treatment. The information retrieved included the biodata, clinical presentation, otolaryngologic clinical findings, as well as their hearing assessment with Pure tone audiometry. RESULTS: 74 out of the 89 HIV patients(82.8%) had otorhinolaryngological manifestations with the age range of 3 to 62 years (Mean of 36.4 yrs, SD=2.45±0.02). The modal age range was 21-40 years (59.6%) 51males (57.3%) and 38 females (42.7%) and a sex ratio of 1.3:1. Commonest otorhinolaryngological features included nasal in 45.6% (chronic rhinosinusitis), oral/oropharyngeal in 23.9% (oral candidiasis), otological in 21.5% (Serous otitis media) and cervical adenopathy in 9%. CONCLUSION: Otorhinolaryngological manifestations were found in 74 patients (82.8%) and commonest features included chronic sinusitis, oral/pharyngeal candidiasis, serous otitis media with cervical adeopathy in that order. It is important for otolaryngologists to be aware of otolaryngological manifestations, so early diagnosis and timely intervention alongside appropriate anti-retroviral therapy be instituted to improve survival rates.