Conflict of Interest: None

Abstract Background The gastrointestinal tract is a common site of involvement in HIV-infected patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in the general population and are associated with decreased quality of life. Methods Ambulatory consecutive HIV-infected patients and consecutive healthy blood donors seen in Jamaica were studied. A 19-item questionnaire of GI symptoms was administered. Results There were 196 respondents. Among 99 HIV patients, the mean number of symp-toms was 2.9 and in 97 controls 3.3 (p=0.091). Dysphagia and odynophagia were present in 8.1 % of HIV patients and 3.1 % of the controls (p=0.129). Belching was present in 59.6 % of HIV patients and in 96.8 % of controls (p≤0.001). In the control group, 44.3 % had heartburn compared to 29.3 % of HIV patients. Within the preceding year, 26.3 % of HIV participants and 12.4 % of controls sought medical attention for their GI symptoms (p=0.001). GI symp-tomatology was directly related to immune status in the HIV group as patients with a CD4 count of less than 200 cells/μL reported up to 6 GI symptoms, those with CD4 of 201-350 cells/μL had 3 symptoms, and patients with CD4 greater than 351 cells/μL had 1 symptom. Pain on swallowing, and vomiting were significantly more common in patients with CD