Small-airway disease and its reversibility in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children on highly active antiretroviral therapy: A cross-sectional study in an African setting.

Background: Lung function abnormalities may occur in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Small-airway disease (SAD) precedes abnormalities in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV ₁).

Objective: This study aims to assess the presence and reversibility of SAD in HIV-infected children using the Global Lung Function Initiative standards.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 6 months at the Paediatric HIV Clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. Eligible consenting children with HIV infection were recruited. Lung function was measured, and the reversibility of FEV₁ and forced vital capacity (FVC) was assessed at 12% while that of forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% (FEF_25-75) was assessed at 12%, 15%, and 20%. Predictors of abnormal Z-score values were determined by multivariate linear and logistic regressions. Statistically significant values were set at P < 0.05.

Results: The mean Z-score for FEV₁, FVC, and FEF_25-75 was - 2.19, -1.86, and - 1.60, respectively. Most patients (73%) had abnormal FEV₁, while 52% had abnormal FEF_25-75. Significant changes in FEV₁ (P = 0.001) and FEF_25-75 (P < 0.001) occurred after the bronchodilator response (BDR) test. Of the children whose FEV₁ showed positive BDR, 70.9% had low zFEV_1; 50% had low zFEF_25-75, while all had low FEV_1. Nutritional status (Z-score for body mass index) was significantly associated with low FEV_1.

Conclusions: Abnormal FEF_25-75 as a marker of SAD and FEV₁ with a positive BDR are common in HIV-infected children. These lung function abnormalities justify long-term follow-up for these patients.