功能性消化不良伴体质量减轻患者的临床特征、生活质量及其精神心理因素分析

目的 探讨功能性消化不良(FD)伴体质量减轻患者的临床特征、生活质量及其精神心理因素.方法 采用多中心、前瞻性调查设计,选取2012年6月至9月广东地区3家医院消化内科门诊就诊的1341例FD患者,将资料齐全的1057例患者按体质量下降百分比分成A组(≥5％)和B组(＜5％),比较2组消化不良指数症状评分(NDI-症状评分)、食欲情况、汉密尔顿焦虑/抑郁量表(HAMA/HAMD)、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)、生活质量(NDI-QOL)、就诊行为等指标.结果 1057例FD患者中,伴体质量减轻者207例(占19.58％).A、B两组除NDI-症状发生频率和食欲评分为“差”、“很差”的差异有统计学意义外(t=-2.122,P=0.035x2=35.448,P=0.000x2=35.274,P=0.000),NDI-症状评分总分、症状严重程度、对生活的影响程度指标的差异均无统计学意义(t=-1.301、-0.918、0.138,P=0.193、0.359、0.890)；A、B两组抑郁、焦虑发病率和PSQI总分的差异均有统计学意义(x2=73.939,P=0.000;x2 =47.046,P=0.000;t=-4.904,P=0.000)；A、B两组NDI-QOL评分中4个维度的差异均有统计学意义(t=5.348、2.569、5.809、4.704,P=0.000、0.010、0.000、0.000)；A、B两组在就诊次数、医疗直接费用方面的差异有统计学意义(t=-4.860、-3.011,P=0.000、0.003),但A组胃镜检查次数略高于B组(t=-1.505,P=0.133).结论 FD伴体质量减轻临床并非少见,多伴有抑郁和焦虑情绪、食欲下降和睡眠障碍,严重影响生活质量,且就诊次数多和医疗耗费高,应引起临床医生的高度重视.     

肠易激综合征患者的睡眠特征

目的 分析伴焦虑抑郁和无焦虑抑郁的肠易激综合征(IBS)患者睡眠质量的差别,探讨IBS患者的睡眠特征.方法 采用pittsburgh睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)、焦虑自评量表(SAS)和抑郁自评量表(SDS)对IBS患者(145例)及健康体检志愿者(59例)进行问卷调查,再根据焦虑或抑郁评分对IBS患者分为无焦虑抑郁亚组和伴焦虑抑郁亚组,进行统计学分析.结果 在SAS、SDS量表中,IBS组的SAS粗分、SDS粗分及SAS粗分阳性率均比健康对照组高(29.43±15.24比26.10±11.55,31.29±13.32比26.51±13.91,12.41%比3.39%),差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05),SDS粗分阳性率与健康对照组相比,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).在PSQI量表中,IBS组及无焦虑抑郁IBS亚组在睡眠质量、睡眠障碍、日间功能障碍等3个因子及PSQI总分比健康对照组高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);伴焦虑抑郁的IBS亚组在睡眠质量、入睡时间、睡眠效率、睡眠障碍、睡眠时间、日间功能障碍等6个因子和PSQI总分比健康对照组高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);伴焦虑抑郁的IBS亚组在所有7个因子和PSQI总分均比无焦虑抑郁的IBS亚组高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 IBS患者存在睡眠异常,主要表现在睡眠质量、睡眠障碍、日间功能障碍3个因子和PSQI总分异常,这些因子的异常独立于患者的情绪障碍,但情绪障碍会加重IBS患者的睡眠异常.     

肠易激综合征患者精神心理因素对生活质量、睡眠质量以及症状严重程度的影响

背景:肠易激综合征(IBS)患者多伴有焦虑、抑郁等精神心理障碍,但精神心理障碍对患者的影响尚未完全明确。目的:探讨IBS患者精神心理因素对生活质量、睡眠质量以及症状严重程度的影响。方法:纳入2014年11月—2015年5月安徽医科大学附属省立医院收治的IBS患者101例,采用Zung焦虑自评量表(SAS)和Zung抑郁自评量表(SDS)对患者心理状态进行评估;采用IBS生活质量量表(IBS-QOL)对患者生活质量进行评估;采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)对患者睡眠质量进行评估;采用IBS症状严重程度量表(IBS-SSS)对患者症状严重程度进行评估。对患者精神心理因素、生活质量、睡眠质量以及症状严重程度行相关性分析。结果:57.4%(58/101)的IBS患者伴有不同程度的焦虑和(或)抑郁。101例患者IBS-QOL评分为73.28±12.79,其中以焦虑不安、忌食和健康忧虑影响最为严重。73.3%(74/101)的患者伴有不同程度的睡眠障碍,其中以日间功能障碍、睡眠质量和睡眠效率受损最为严重。101例患者中13例症状为轻度,63例为中度,25例为重度,IBS-SSS评分为253.00±72.58。相关性分析结果显示焦虑、抑郁与生活质量呈负相关(r=-0.426,P0.001;r=-0.501,P0.001),与睡眠质量呈正相关(r=0.556,P=0.000;r=0.513,P=0.000),与症状严重程度呈正相关(r=0.231,P=0.020;r=0.357,P0.001);生活质量与症状严重程度呈负相关(r=-0.417,P0.001)。结论:IBS患者具有精神心理障碍以及生活质量、睡眠质量下降的表现,且精神心理障碍愈严重,生活质量、睡眠质量受损愈明显,IBS症状愈严重。     

血液灌流对老年血液透析患者不安腿综合征和睡眠质量的影响

目的 了解老年维持性血液透析(maintenance hemodialysis,MHD)患者不安腿综合征(restless legs syndrome,RLS)的患病率、危险因素及其对睡眠质量的影响,观察血液灌流改善对老年血液透析患者不安腿症状和睡眠质量的有效性和安全性.方法 以118例因慢性肾衰竭进行MHD治疗的老年患者为研究对象.不安腿综合征的诊断采用国际不安腿综合征研究小组制定的诊断标准量表,以匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(Pittsburgh sleep quality index,PSQI)进行睡眠质量评估.对伴有RLS老年MHD患者进行血液灌流治疗,疗程3个月,观察治疗前后患者RLS症状和PSQJ评分情况及不良反应.收集患者的临床和生化资料,进行t检验或x2检验,部分指标间进行相关分析和Logistic回归分析. 结果 (1)118例老年血液透析患者中,并存RLS者31例,患病率为26.3%,其中男性11例,女性20例;(2)RLS组患者透析龄(t=2.332,P=0.021)、性别比(女/男)(X2=15.343,P=0.000)、血磷(t=4.784,P=0.000)、β2-微球蛋白(t=13.124,P-0.000)和甲状旁腺激素水平(t=10.900,P=0.000)明显高于非RLS组,差异均有统计学意义.而在年龄(t=0.341,P=0.734)、干体质量(t=0.008,P=0.994)、透析器膜材料(X2=1.055,P=0.304)、血肌酐(t=0.051,P=0.960)、血尿素(t=0.899,P=0.370)、血红蛋白(t=0.912,P=0.364)、红细胞压积(t=0.601,P=0.549)、血钙(t=0.192,P=0.124)、铁蛋白(t=0.200,P=0.842)、转铁蛋白饱和度(t=1.094,P=0.276)等生化指标方面,两组差异均无统计学意义;Logistic回归分析结果 显示,血甲状旁腺激素和血β2-微球蛋白是老年MHD患者并发RLS的独立危险因素;(3)RLS组PSQI明显高于非RLS组,分别为10.7±2.7和4.9±2.5(t=10.948,P=0.000);睡眠差主要表现在主观睡眠质量、睡眠时间、习惯睡眠效应、日间功能等方面,且RLS严重程度与PSQI总分呈正相关(r=0.839,P<0.05);(4)经血液灌流治疗后,RLS患者血磷,血甲状旁腺激素、血β2-微球蛋白、RLS和PSQI评分均明显下降,与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义;(5)患者在治疗过程中牛命体征平稳,无不良反应发生. 结论 老年MHD患者RLS的患病率较高,且普遍存在睡眠质量差等问题;血甲状旁腺激素和β2-微球蛋白是老年MHD患者并发RLS的独立危险因素,血液灌流能改善老年MHD患者的RLS和睡眠质量,且安全性好.     

TIP情志调养对老年焦虑不寐症患者生命质量的影响

目的将TIP情志调养辨证论治运用到老年轻度焦虑不寐症患者中,探讨该模式下老年不寐患者睡眠质量及生命质量。方法采用随机对照的试验设计方法共筛查有不寐症的患者105例,最终入组72例,并进行多导睡眠图、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)评分、焦虑自评量表(SAS)等统计分析。结果干预后干预组PSQI评分明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=5.407,P=0.000),两组干预后生活质量评分比较差异有统计学意义(t=2.986,P=0.003)。结论运用TIP情志调养辨证论治模式在轻度焦虑不寐症的老年人中,可达心身同治之效果,有效地改善了睡眠情况、缓解焦虑情绪、提升了生命质量。     

老年功能性消化不良患者心理弹性、感知压力及睡眠质量间的相关性分析

背景老年功能性消化不良(functional dyspepsia, FD)反复发作易影响患者心理情绪和睡眠质量.睡眠障碍和负面心理情绪相互影响,长期形成恶性循环.本研究对老年FD患者心理弹性、感知压力及睡眠质量进行调查分析,旨在为临床提供重要客观依据.目的旨在探讨老年FD患者感知压力、心理弹性及睡眠质量的关系.方法选取2017-03/2019-06在浙江省金华市第二医院就诊的老年FD患者120例为研究对象,采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(pittsburgh sleep quality index, PSQI),感知压力量表(perceived stress scale, PSS)及心理弹性量表分别调查并分析.结果老年FD患PSQI总得分2-17,7.4分±2.9分,其中72.50%(87/120)的患者PSQI评分5分,睡眠质量较差.老年FD患者PSS评分为15.3分±4.8分,心理弹性评分为26.1分±6.2分, PSQI评分为7.3分±2.7分.心理弹性评分与PSS和PSQI评分呈负相关(r=-0.58,-0.41, P 0.05), PSS评分与PSQI评分呈正相关(r=0.33,P 0.05).PSS能正性预测PSQI评分(β=0.31, P 0.05),心理弹性能负性预测PSQI评分(β=-0.28, P0.05),且PSS对PSQI的预测作用降低(β=-0.58, P0.05);Bootstrap检验中介效应95%CI:0.127-0.325, P 0.01.结论老年FD患者睡眠质量较差,感知压力和心理弹性是影响睡眠质量的危险因素,在临床中可通过疏导心理压力改善睡眠.     

氟哌噻吨美利曲辛联合质子泵抑制剂对伴焦虑抑郁的非糜烂性胃食管反流病的临床效果观察

目的探讨氟哌噻吨美利曲辛联合质子泵抑制剂(PPI)对伴焦虑抑郁的非糜烂性胃食管反流病(NERD)的疗效。方法采用汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)对2011年1月-2013年6月新疆医科大学第五附属医院收治的265例NERD患者进行心理测评,随机抽取80例伴焦虑抑郁的NERD患者分为A组和B组,每组40例,40例不伴焦虑抑郁的NERD患者为C组。A组予氟哌噻吨美利曲辛联合埃索美拉唑镁治疗,B组、C组只给予埃索美拉唑镁治疗,对比治疗前后反流性疾病诊断问卷(RDQ)、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)量表,以及HAMA、HAMD的评分。结果 RDQ问卷症状程度、频度总分、HAMA、HAMD、PSQI评分治疗前后差值三组间比较差异有统计学意义(F=46.93、42.64、37.36、39.73、21.35,P均0.05);A组治疗前后RDQ症状程度、频度总分的差值(分别为12.31±3.54、14.11±2.46)大于B组(5.62±3.45、5.30±2.13)(Post-hoc检验,P=0.032、0.025);A组治疗前后HAMA、HAMD、PSQI评分的差值(分别为10.23±4.31、10.22±3.32、7.10±4.02)均大于B组(分别为4.90±4.38、3.56±5.26、2.76±4.21)和C组(3.10±1.27、1.91±1.32、3.09±1.38)(Post-hoc分析,A组与B组比较,P=0.003、0.002、0.003;A组与C组比较,P=0.002、0.001、0.004)。结论氟哌噻吨美利曲辛联合PPI在治疗NERD躯体症状的同时,能显著改善伴焦虑抑郁的NERD患者的精神症状,其疗效优于单用PPI。     

干燥综合征睡眠质量及其相关因素

目的调查原发性干燥综合征患者睡眠质量及影响睡眠质量的相关因素,为改善干燥综合征患者睡眠质量提供依据。方法采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(Pittsburgh sleep quality index,PSQI)、医院焦虑抑郁量表(hospital anxiety and depression scale,HADS)、疲劳严重度量表(ftigue severity scale,FSS)、欧洲干燥综合征疾病活动指数(EULAR Sj?gren’s syndrome disease activity index,ESSDAI)、欧洲干燥综合征患者报告指数(EULAR Sj?gren’s syndrome patient reported index,ESSPRI)及自制一般情况调查表对门诊的68例原发性干燥综合征患者进行问卷调查,分析睡眠障碍与人口学、临床资料、实验室检查、疾病活动性的相关性。结果患者PSQI总分(7.7±3.6)分,明显高于健康人群(3.9±2.5);不同性别患者睡眠障碍的检出率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。伴睡眠障碍组在年龄、HADS、FSS、ESSPRI、ESSDAI、IL-6、IgG、血沉方面与不伴睡眠障碍组差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。睡眠障碍与年龄、HADS、FSS、ESSPRI、IL-6水平均呈正相关(r=0.521、0.756、0.503、0.294、0.915,P0.05),与ESSDAI、血沉、IgG水平负相关(r=-0.345、-0.343、-0.429,P0.05),与CRP无明显相关性(P=0.834)。结论原发性干燥综合征的睡眠障碍明显高于健康人群,相关的因素有年龄、焦虑抑郁状态、疲劳、高IL-6水平、高ESSPRI等。与系统损害的程度呈负相关,提示较高的针对原发病的治疗强度可能改善患者的睡眠情况。     

依非韦伦更换为洛匹那韦/利托那韦后对AIDS病人睡眠障碍 焦虑 抑郁影响的初步研究

目的探讨依非韦伦(EFV)更换为洛匹那韦/利托那韦(LPV/r)后,对艾滋病(AIDS)病人睡眠障碍、焦虑和抑郁症状(SAD症状)的影响情况。方法共62例AIDS病人,用统一的调查问卷收集社会人口学资料和用药情况,用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)、医院焦虑抑郁情绪测量表(HAD量表),调查病人SAD症状的变化情况。结果 62例中,男性占98.39%,平均年龄(32.84±8.54)岁,大专及以上文化占72.58%,同性性传播占75.81%,更换抗病毒治疗方案的前三位原因依次为中枢神经系统症状(70.97%)、皮疹(9.68%)、一线治疗失败(8.06%)。62例AIDS病人基线平均PSQI值为(8.19±3.90)分,医院焦虑抑郁情绪测量表焦虑评分(HAD-A)为(6.32±4.52)分,抑郁评分(HAD-D)为(6.40±4.91)分。换用LPV/r 3个月后分别为(6.56±2.97)分、(5.27±3.58)分和(5.58±4.76)分(P值分别为0.000、0.029和0.081)。基线时PSQI、HAD-A和HAD-D评分7分的病人分别占48.39%、38.71%和43.55%,换药3个月分别为35.48%、27.42%和32.26%(P值分别为0.001、0.002和0.000)。结论经治AIDS病人中,含EFV抗病毒治疗方案存在神经精神相关不良反应,即不同程度的睡眠障碍及焦虑、抑郁症状,是导致更换治疗方案的主要原因。治疗方案更换为LPV/r的组合后,病人SAD症状较前明显改善。     

住院心房颤动患者睡眠状况调查及相关因素分析

目的了解住院心房颤动(房颤)患者睡眠质量并探讨其影响因素。方法对2019年10月至12月在中国医学科学院阜外医院心律失常中心住院的房颤患者进行回顾性分析, 采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)测评睡眠质量, 以PSQI总分>7分定义为睡眠障碍, 依据PSQI评分将患者分为无睡眠障碍组及睡眠障碍组。采用单因素分析及多因素Logistic回归分析患者睡眠质量影响因素, 以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。采用多因素Logistic回归分析评价不同心理状态患者(单独合并焦虑、单独合并抑郁、同时合并焦虑及抑郁)睡眠障碍发生风险。结果入选332例房颤患者, 年龄(58.60±10.47)岁, 其中男225例(67.8%, 225/332)。PSQI评分为6.0(6.0)分, 睡眠障碍发生率为34.0%(113/332)。单因素分析显示性别(χ2=8.24, P=0.004)、年龄(χ2=5.05, P=0.025)、焦虑(χ2=14.00, P<0.001)、抑郁(χ2=16.35, P<0.001)可能为睡眠质量的影响因素。多因素Logistic回归分析显示年龄(OR=1....     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Presence of immunoreactive growth hormone and prolactin in the ovine pineal gland

Abstract: The use of antisera raised against bovine growth hormone (GH) and ovine prolactin (PRL) enabled the detection of related immunoreactive (ir) sequences of proteins in ovine pineal tissue. The isolation of PRL-like ir-material was accomplished using a 0.25 M ammonium sulphate (pH 5.5) extraction followed by ethanol precipitation, whereas the resulting 2.0 M ammonium sulphate (pH 7.0) precipitate contained a GH-like immunoreactivity. Gel chromatography of the GH-like immunoreactivity (Sephadex G-100) indicated the presence of several GH-like fragments ranging in the M_r range of 7,000 to 55,000. Analyses of the PRL-like ir-material found in pineal tissue on HPLC using a TSK 545-DEAE column led to the resolution into a single peak of immunoreactivity. A single peak of activity was also observed following chromatofocusing and hydrophobic interaction chromatography of the ir-peak from the TSK 545-DEAE column. The PRL-like ir-material inhibited the binding of [¹²⁵I]ovine PRL-S14 to anti-ovine PRL antibodies without showing an affinity for binding to anti-rat PRL or anti-bovine GH antibodies. Scatchard analysis of the binding of pineal PRL-like ir-material and pituitary ovine PRL-S14 to liver membranes from day-20 pregnant rats revealed similar affinity constants (K_a of 4.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁹ M^-1). In addition, the replication of Nb 2 Node rat lymphoma cells was stimulated by pineal PRL-like ir-material, an effect known to be specific for lactogenic hormones. The pineal PRL-like immunoreactivity appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels as a single major band of M_r 24,000. The functional status of PRL-and GH-like ir-material in the ovine pineal remains to be determined, but evidence is presented that the overall protein synthesis rate of the rat pineal responded to circulating concentrations of PRL.     

Microbiology of human immunodeficiency virus anorectal disease

PURPOSE: Individuals who are seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus are at high risk for opportunistic infection and anorectal disorders. Little prospective information is available regarding anorectal pathogens in these patients. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three HIV-seropositive patients presented to the colorectal clinic between 1989 and 1992. Forty-seven (29 percent) patients were thought to have an infectious process and were prospectively studied using a standardized multiculture protocol. RESULTS: Mean age was 33 (range, 19–59) years. All were male; high-risk behavior accounted for 87 percent of HIV transmissions. Presenting complaints included anorectal pain (79 percent), pus per anum (28 percent), and blood per anum (26 percent). Examination revealed perianal tenderness (60 percent), condyloma (38 percent), perianal ulcers (38 percent), and anal fissures (34 percent). Sixty-six sets of cultures were performed; 28 patients had one set, 15 had two sets, and 4 had three sets. Thirty-two of these 47 patients (68 percent) had positive cultures including herpes (50 percent), cytomegalovirus (25 percent),Neisseria gonorrhoeae (16 percent), chlamydia (16 percent), acidfast bacilli (2 percent), and others (9 percent). Six of 32 patients with positive cultures had more than one organism cultured. Sixteen (50 percent) patients with positive cultures were treated medically, 8 (25 percent) were treated surgically and 8 (25 percent) were treated with both modalities. Sixty-one procedures were performed on 17 patients for condylomata. Eighteen patients had 20 procedures for abscesses, 50 percent of whom had positive cultures for other than common bowel flora; all improved. Fourteen patients underwent 33 procedures for perianal fistulas.Mycobacterium fortuitum was cultured from one patient who required 13 procedures for abscesses and fistulas. Forty-five (96 percent) patients were followed for an average of 12.5 months ±2.9 SEM (range, 1–94 months). Symptoms were improved or resolved in 22 of 32 (69 percent) patients with positive cultures and in 11 of 13 (84 percent) with negative cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Specific pathogens may often be identified in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients with anorectal disorders if aggressively sought. Although patients without specific pathogens identified may be expected to improve with planned empiric treatment, positive identification allows more directed therapy.