Human immunodeficiency virus infection search for musculoskeletal manifestations and mimicking of rheumatologic disorders.

This study involved 50 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients in various stages of the disease to identify signs and symptoms suggestive of rheumatologic disorders and to determine how frequently such findings mimic rheumatologic pictures. Control subjects were 25 ambulatory HIV-negative patients with similar risk factors, mostly drug abuse. Although arthralgias and myalgias were reported in both groups, arthritis was only detected in the HIV-positive group.