Clinico-epidemiological profile of genital dermatoses in people living with HIV: A shifting paradigm from venereal to nonvenereal dermatoses.

Context: The protean mucocutaneous manifestations of HIV and the resultant opportunistic infections are well documented. Genital dermatoses can be either venereal or nonvenereal in origin. As the presence of HIV infection greatly increases the chances of acquiring another sexually transmitted pathogen, these are often presumed to be venereal in origin.

Aims: The aims of the study were to record the different morphologies of genital skin lesions in seropositive patients and to classify them as venereal or nonvenereal in origin.

Settings and design: This was an observational study undertaken in seropositive patients with genital skin lesions attending the outpatient department of dermatology at a tertiary health-care center.

Subjects and methods: One hundred and seventy-seven seropositive patients with genital lesions were enrolled. A detailed history was taken; the genital and dermatological examination was performed.

Statistical analysis used: None.

Results: Males predominated the study population with the majority (79.1%) falling into the reproductive age group of 15-49 years. Nonvenereal genital dermatoses (59%) outnumbered sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (41%) out of which the most frequently encountered were dermatophytosis, scabies, and intertrigo. Other entities recorded were inflammatory dermatoses, cutaneous adverse drug reactions, and tumors. The most common STIs were herpes genitalis (55.4%) and anogenital warts (32.5%).

Conclusion: This study showed that nonvenereal genital dermatoses are more common than STIs in people living with HIV. Our findings reiterate the fact that genital lesions should be approached with caution as a presumptive and hasty diagnosis of STI adds greatly to the morbidity of the patient in terms of guilt and shame, and adversely affects the quality of life.