Joint Manifestations in HIV Infection: A Review

Globally, incidence of HIV is on the rise. The epidemic of HIV infection has also affected the practice of rheumatologists. The increased life span of patients with HIV disease has resulted in emergence of musculoskeletal impairments ranging widely from arthritis to traumatic fractures. Joint disorders are common during the course of HIV infection. They are more prevalent in the late stages of disease. These disorders cause a significant amount of morbidity in HIV-infected patients and may lead to deformities if not treated. Joint involvement in HIV can range from mild pain and arthralgias to other conditions as painful articular syndrome, Reiter’s syndrome, reactive arthritis, HIVassociated arthritis, undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, septic arthritis, avascular bone necrosis, osteomyelitis and hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. Early detection of joint disease and timely intervention is essential to improve quality of life.