Rheumatologic manifestations of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations.
• Rheumatologic conditions are increasingly recognized as significant components of the HIV disease spectrum.
• Understanding these manifestations is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of HIV-infected individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the rheumatologic manifestations observed in patients with HIV infection.
• To explore the potential pathogenic mechanisms underlying these rheumatologic conditions.
• To highlight the diagnostic and prognostic significance of rheumatologic symptoms in HIV.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Index Medicus databases from 1981 to 1988.
• References from identified articles were reviewed to ensure comprehensive data inclusion.
• Studies and case reports focusing on arthritis, myopathies, vasculitis, sicca syndrome, and autoimmune phenomena in HIV-infected patients were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Reactive arthritides, particularly Reiter syndrome, are the most common arthropathies in HIV-infected individuals.
• Other rheumatologic findings include psoriatic arthritis, septic arthritis, polymyositic myopathies, vasculitis, and sicca syndrome.
• Autoimmune phenomena such as antinuclear antibodies and lupus anticoagulant are frequently reported in HIV patients.

Conclusions:

• Certain rheumatologic conditions, including Reiter syndrome, reactive arthritis, polymyositis, and sicca syndrome, can be early indicators of HIV infection.
• These rheumatologic manifestations can also occur in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• HIV infection may present with symptoms that mimic other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.