Nearly half of people living with HIV experience skin conditions—even in the modern era of highly effective antiretroviral therapy, according to researchers at the George Washington University in Washington, DC.
The study, Prevalence,Incidence, and Risk Factors for Dermatologic Conditions in People with HIV in the Modern Antiretroviral Era, examined medical records from 11,738 adults in Washington, DC, between 2011 and 2023.
Fully 49% of participants with HIV had at least one dermatologic diagnosis; infectious conditions such as fungal infections, herpes, and viral warts were most common, the study showed. New skin condition diagnoses decreased sharply over the past decade, reflecting progress in HIV treatment. Patients receiving care in community settings and those with public insurance were more likely to be diagnosed with dermatologic disease, underscoring structural barriers to specialized care.
“Dermatologic disease has always been a hallmark of HIV, and while treatment has dramatically reduced many risks, skin conditions remain a significant burden,” says Adam Friedman, MD, Professor and Chair of Dermatology at GW and senior author of the study, in a news release. “Our findings highlight the need for ongoing, targeted dermatologic care, especially as people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.”
Yagiz Matthew Akiska, MD/MPH candidate at GW and the lead author of the study, notes that early diagnosis and prompt initiation of HIV treatment remain critical for reducing the long-term risk of both infectious and malignant skin conditions. They also emphasize the importance of equitable access to dermatologic expertise to prevent disparities in care and outcomes.
“As the population of people living with HIV ages, chronic skin conditions are becoming more prominent and often persist despite effective HIV treatment,” says Akiska. “Addressing these issues requires integrating dermatology into HIV care, so that patients receive comprehensive support for both their overall health and their quality of life.”
