CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE IN HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS WITH PRESERVED IMMUNITY

Introduction: HIV infection can be associated with COPD, especially in advanced stages. Objectives: To investigate the presence of respiratory function alterations in HIV-positive patients without immunocompromise or tobacco habit. Compare the respiratory function of HIV patients with the general population (control group). To establish the relationship between lung function and sex, age of the patient, CD4 value, use of ART, presence of symptoms, respiratory disease and history of symptoms. Material and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study was conducted. After a medical history analysis and an interview in search of respiratory symptoms, 68 patients, non-smokers, were studied and spirometry was performed. 46 (67%) were HIV positive (cases) and 22 (32.4%) were HIV negative (controls). Results: In the HIV population, 76.1% (34) were male patients, while 23.9% (12) were female, the average age of cases was 46.7 +/- 10.9 years. Patients had undetectable viral load and the mean CD4 count was 644.1 +/- 283.8. Respiratory function was impaired in 28% (13) of patients with HIV. In the control group, the total number of patients showed parameters of normal respiratory function. Among HIV patients, 21.7% (10) showed decreased FEV1/FVL ratio. 23.9% (11) had FEV1 values below 80%. Two (4.3%) of HIV patients had an FVC below 80%. In the analysis of FEF 25-75%, it was found that in the HIV-negative population, 4.5% (1) were altered. Among the cases, 23.9% (11) had a lower than normal average expiratory flow. In the HIV-positive male group, 80% (28) showed normal pulmonary function and 20% (7) airway obstruction. 45.5% (5) of the women showed normal respiratory function and 54.5% showed an alteration in it. Conclusion: The HIV-positive patient population presented alterations in respiratory function with statistically significant significance compared to the control group (P: 0.02), with the obstructive airway component clearly predominating. HIV-positive women reported alterations in ventilatory function more frequently (P: 0.05). Half of the patients with a respiratory history had impaired respiratory function. No differences were observed by age; CD4 count or antiretroviral treatment.