Racial differences in dermatologic conditions associated with HIV: A cross-sectional study of 4679 patients in an urban tertiary care center

Background: Because of reduced mortality, patients with HIV are living longer and presenting with chronic diseases. Little is known about racial differences in dermatologic conditions associated with HIV infection. Objective: This study examines associated dermatologic conditions in a large population of patients with HIV at a tertiary care center with a diverse patient population. Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with HIV seen between July 14, 2013, and July 14, 2018, in a tertiary health care system. The burden of HIV-related dermatologic conditions was collected by using medical records. Patients with HIV were compared with control individuals of the same race, and significance was assessed using the chi-square test. A Bonferroni correction was performed to control for multiple hypothesis testing. Results: The study population (N = 4679) was 64.7% male and 69% African American, with 88.7% of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. African American patients with HIV had a greater risk of oral hairy leukoplakia (odds ratio [OR], 64.49), herpes zoster (OR, 9.27), prurigo nodularis (OR, 8.80), and squamous cell carcinoma (OR, 5.72). Limitations: Our data describe patients seen by 1 health care system. Conclusions: African American patients with HIV may be at increased risk for pruritic disorders compared with race-matched control individuals and white patients with HIV.