Otorhinolaryngology Diseases in HIV-Positive Patients: 208 Cases at the Donka National Hospital

Introduction: Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) diseases in patients living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS) are relatively common and of concern to ENT specialists and other health professionals. Aim: It was to describe the epidemiological and diagnostic aspects of ENT and cervicofacial diseases in patients living with HIV/ AIDS. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive study with prospective data collection, conducted over a period of six months (September 16, 2019 to March 16, 2020), carried out at the ENT and Infectious Diseases Departments of the Donka National Hospital. Results: Of 522 HIV-positive patients, 208 (39.8%) presented with ENT diseases. Women represented 62.5% with a sex ratio of 0.6. The mean age was 42.21 years with extremes of 16 and 64 years. Housewives were the most represented (29.8%). Married people were the most affected (76.4%). Cervical involvement was present in 7.7% of patients. Otologic involvement accounted for 43.7%. Oral cavity and pharyngolaryngeal involvement accounted for 50.9%. Nasosinus involvement accounted for 55.7%. HIV type I was the most common (99.5%). Conclusion: Otorhinolaryngology diseases were frequent in HIV positive patients. They may constitute the first reason for consultation. However, these ENT diseases remain in appendix of the opportunistic diseases of HIV/AIDS taking the front stage.