Human immunodeficiency virus-related abdominal pain in South Africa. Aetiology, diagnosis and survival.

BACKGROUND

Abdominal pain in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients is often a marker of an underlying opportunistic pathologic condition. There are no data on HIV-related abdominal pain in Africa.

METHODS

Forty-four consecutive Cape Town patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (CD4 < 200) and abdominal pain were studied prospectively to determine aetiology and survival.

RESULTS

A probable cause of pain was identified in 37 (84%): disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in 11, cryptosporidiosis in 6, cytomegalovirus infection in 6, and atypical mycobacterial infection in 2. Gastrointestinal lymphoma and pancreatitis were not seen. Fever, hepatomegaly, respiratory symptoms, abnormal chest radiograph, and adenopathy, ascites, or abscesses on ultrasound had predictive diagnostic value for disseminated M. tuberculosis. Fifty-one per cent of abdominal pain patients survived 6 months, compared with 73% of all AIDS patients (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The aetiology of HIV-related abdominal pain in Cape Town reflects the high local prevalence of tuberculosis. Clinical and ultrasound features facilitate diagnosis. Abdominal pain is associated with poor survival.