What are some common abnormalities found when screening asymptomatic patients?
Some disease processes associated with HIV can be first identified in laboratory screening tests while patients are still asymptomatic. The primary care provider plays an essential role in monitoring for laboratory abnormalities, whether these abnormalities result from diseases or from antiretroviral therapy (ART). Table 10-1 lists screening tests that assist in promptly identifying and managing medical problems in asymptomatic patients. Abnormal laboratory tests occur more frequently in HIV-infected persons because 1) HIV is a multi-system disease, 2) HIV causes immune suppression that may result in opportunistic infections and tumors that involve multiple systems, 3) the drugs used routinely in management can cause adverse reactions that affect multiple systems, and 4) patients at high risk for HIV are often at high risk for other medical conditions.
