What is a common complication associated with AIDS?

Diarrhea is a well-documented complication of AIDS due to the immunocompromised state that the disease creates. Individuals with AIDS often experience gastrointestinal issues as a result of opportunistic infections, certain malignancies, and the direct effects of HIV on the gastrointestinal tract. These can lead to malabsorption and persistent diarrhea, which can exacerbate dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.

In individuals with AIDS, the weakening of the immune system makes it difficult to fight off various pathogens, including those that cause gastrointestinal infections, such as Cryptosporidium and other enteric organisms. This results in chronic or recurrent diarrhea, which is not only a direct consequence of the infections but also a side effect of various antiretroviral medications that some patients may be taking.

Other options, while relevant to various health issues, are less specifically associated as common complications of AIDS. Neuropathy can occur, particularly due to certain infections or conditions associated with HIV, but it is not as prevalent. Chronic fatigue syndrome might appear related, but it's more associated with other chronic illnesses than with AIDS specifically. Cirrhosis is generally a consequence of liver disease, which can be related to alcohol or viral hepatitis rather than being a direct complication of AIDS itself. Thus, diarrhea stands