OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of occurrence of hypoadrenalism in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and document the clinical correlates of hypoadrenalism for this group of patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out on 66 hospitalized HIV patients in a semi-urban setting of South Africa. Hypoadrenalism was diagnosed based on a basal cortisol level of less than 400 nmol/l with or without overt signs and symptoms. Clinical and biochemical parameters of hypoadrenalism were compared between subjects with suboptimal and normal cortisol levels. Statistical analysis included Student's t test, χ(2) and Pearson's correlation coefficient tests. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypoadrenalism was 27% with a high occurrence of contributory factors (cytomegalovirus infection in 100% and tuberculosis in 68.2% of the study subjects). Typical features of hypoadrenalism included: hyponatremia, 19.6%; hyperkalemia, 6.1%; mucosal hyperpigmentation, 12%, and loss of axillary hair, 15%. Comparison of clinical and biochemical parameters of hypoadrenalism did not show a correlation between CD4 count and cortisol levels (r = 0.1 and p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypoadrenalism in our patients with HIV infection was high and the clinical features were comparable in subjects with normal and subnormal cortisol levels.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of occurrence of hypoadrenalism in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and document the clinical correlates of hypoadrenalism for this group of patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out on 66 hospitalized HIVpatients in a semi-urban setting of South Africa. Hypoadrenalism was diagnosed based on a basal cortisol level of less than 400 nmol/l with or without overt signs and symptoms. Clinical and biochemical parameters of hypoadrenalism were compared between subjects with suboptimal and normal cortisol levels. Statistical analysis included Student's t test, χ(2) and Pearson's correlation coefficient tests. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypoadrenalism was 27% with a high occurrence of contributory factors (cytomegalovirus infection in 100% and tuberculosis in 68.2% of the study subjects). Typical features of hypoadrenalism included: hyponatremia, 19.6%; hyperkalemia, 6.1%; mucosal hyperpigmentation, 12%, and loss of axillary hair, 15%. Comparison of clinical and biochemical parameters of hypoadrenalism did not show a correlation between CD4 count and cortisol levels (r = 0.1 and p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypoadrenalism in our patients with HIV infection was high and the clinical features were comparable in subjects with normal and subnormal cortisol levels.
Authors: Iorhen E Akase; Abdurazaq G Habib; Adamu G Bakari; Hamza Muhammad; Ibrahim Gezawa; Ibrahim Nashabaru; Garba Iliyasu; Abdullahi A Mohammed Journal: Ghana Med J Date: 2018-09
Authors: Iorhen E Akase; Abdurazaq G Habib; Adamu G Bakari; Hamza Muhammad; Ibrahim D Gezawa Journal: Afr Health Sci Date: 2019-06 Impact factor: 0.927