[Endoscopy of the upper digestive tract in anti-HIV positive subjects]. / L'endoscopia del tratto digestivo superiore in soggetti anti-HIV positivi.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate any correlation between symptoms of the upper digestive tract, endoscopic findings and the clinical stage of disease. METHODS: Thirty-four anti-HIV positive patients were enrolled and subdivided, according to CDC classification, as follows 28 CDC II/III (asymptomatics) and 6 CDC IV (AIDS). The past medical history of all patients was investigated and oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS) was carried out. RESULTS: All anti-HIV positive patients complained of gastrointestinal symptoms (100%), while endoscopic lesions were observed in 11/34 (32.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The data did not show any correlation between symptoms and endoscopic alterations; we showed more frequent endoscopic alteration in CDC IV patients, even if being treated, compared with CDC II/III.