![](https://d3ilqtpdwi981i.cloudfront.net/4f0R2OKBRdkMNRnHHMCh-bJjDfA=/425x550/smart/https://bepress-attached-resources.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ad/61/8e/ad618e28-742c-4b12-befe-3a8368a47a90/thumbnail_b63e0361-6871-4b19-b39a-7973e8113adb.jpg)
AIM:
Candida esophagitis is a frequent infection in immunocompromised patients. This study was designed to determine its characteristics in non- human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infected patients attending a teaching hospital. METHODS:
Clinical records of all patients coded by international classification of diseases 9th revision with clinical modifications' (ICD-9-CM), with candida esophagitis diagnosed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and histopathology over a period of 5 years were studied. RESULTS:
Fifty-one patients (27 males, 24 females, range 21-77 years old and mean age 52.9 years) fulfilled the criteria (0.34% of the EGD). The common predisposing factors were carcinoma (OR 3.87, CI 1.00-14.99) and diabetes mellitus (OR 4.39, CI 1.34-14.42). The frequent clinical symptoms were retrosternal discomfort, dysphagia and epigastric abdominal pain with endoscopic appearance of scattered mucosal plaques. Another endoscopic lesion was associated with candida esophagitis in 15% patients. CONCLUSION:
Carcinomas, diabetes mellitus, corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy are major risk factors for candida esophagitis in Pakistan. It is an easily managed complication that responds to treatment with nystatin.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/javedyakoob/35/