Seborrheic dermatitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Many cutaneous disorders are associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We prospectively evaluated eighteen patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and twelve patients with the immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex for dermatologic disorders. A high prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis was found in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome--83%, in comparison with 1% to 3% of historic control subjects. Patients with the related complex also had an increased incidence of 42%. Seborrheic dermatitis in this population was often more explosive, inflammatory, and severe than is usually seen in otherwise healthy patients. Severity of seborrheic dermatitis correlated with a poor overall prognosis in our patients. Additionally, seborrheic dermatitis may be one of the most common cutaneous manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.