HIV/AIDS and Dermatological Findings at A Glance: What Has Changed in the ART Era

We aimed to determine the prevalence and diversity of dermatoses in HIV infected patients, and to compare alterations of skin lesion characteristics with the past literature.

This retrospective, cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted on patients who were admitted to Şanlıurfa Training and Research Hospital between January 2020 and April 2023 with a diagnosis of HIV infection. Patients, whose dermatological examination had been performed, were included in the study.

Out of 144 individuals included in the study, 84.7% of them were male, and the median age was 34.5 (18-75). The prevalence of skin disorders among patients was found to be 57.6%. The most frequently dermatoses were condylomata acuminata (39.8%), telogen effluvium (16.9%), and scabies (9.6%). The frequency of condylomata acuminata and scabies was significantly higher in those with a history of homosexual intercourse. The number of skin findings increased as the CD4 count decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

The pattern of HIV/AIDS-related skin disorders has transitioned during ART development; while the findings triggered by immunosuppression decreased, other sexually transmitted infections-related dermatoses and ART-related conditions dominated. Although dermatosis prevalence appears reduced in the ART era, HIV remains linked to a wide range of dermatological manifestations. This study shows that over half of patients still experience skin findings, underscoring the continued importance of dermatological assessment in the comprehensive care of people living with HIV.