Manifestations of HIV and aids in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck region in adults at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Aim: To determine the range and pattern of Head and Neck otorhinolaryngological manifestations of HIV and AIDS. Settings: ENT -HN unit, Medical wards and eee of Kenyatta National Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 277 HIV infected adults, comprising 167 females and 110 males aged 13-59 years (Mean =35.29). A modified University of Western Cape data collection form was used to record the information, which included sociodermographic data and presence of ENT symptoms and signs. Data entry was done using SPSS program and analyzed. Chi-square and T-tests were used to determine any relationship between categorical and continuous variables respectively. Results: Out of 277 HIV infected patients enrolled for the study 71% of the patients were found to have ENT manifestations, of which oral candidiasis was the most common (62.2%), followed by cervical lymphadenopathy (33.2%), TB· adenitis (7.7%), facial nerve palsy (4.6%), Kaposi's sarcoma (4.1 %), herpes simplex (3.1 %), vestibulitis (3.1 %) and otitis externa (2.6%). It has been shown in this study that there is a correlation between complains of the patients and the presence of disease (p value of .:5. 0.001). Females are affected at younger age (mean=34 years) than males (mean=37 years). Conclusions: This study has shown that 71% of HIV infected patients present with otolaryngology, head and neck lesions. Oral candidiasis was the most common manifestation, followed by cervical lymphadenopathy, TB adenitis and facial paralysis respectively. The study has also shown that ENT manifestations are associated with patients' symptoms.