Prevalence of oral lesions in patients with HIV/AIDS in Rasht (Iran)

AIDS-associated oral lesions are important, in terms of diagnostic-prognostic role and monitoring patients; moreover some of them may reduce patient’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV patients. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among a total of 62 HIV+ patients who attended a counseling and treatment center in Rasht. Demographic information, drugs and laboratory status were extracted from patients’ files. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions with multiple linear regressions. From 62 cases, 50 were male and 12 female and the mean age was 40.5±11.3 years. 59 patients had oral lesions including periodontal disease (95%). The most prevalent oral lesions included: periodontitis (67.7%), oral candidiasis (41.9%) of erythematous (35.4%) and pseudomembranous types (6.45%) and angular cheilitis (12.9%). Patients with removable denture presented a higher rate of erythematous candidiasis and angular cheilitis (P=0.001). In this study, periodontal diseases were rosed by the post-diagnosis years (P=0.024) and the antiretroviral medications (P=0.002). Patients on the prophylactic medications (P=0.043) were less likely to have erythematous candidiasis; age may caused angular cheilitis (P=0.041). Pseudomembranous candidiasis was inversely correlated with CD4 + L levels (P=0.052). The majority of the cases in this study were IV drug user males within the 4th decade of life. Although oral lesions were not common, but the dental and periodontal statuses exhibited poor oral hygiene which need more attention.