DMFT index and oral mucosal lesions associated with HIV infection: cross-sectional study in Porto Velho, Amazonian region - Brazil

Abstract

We declare no confl ict of interest. ABSTRACTWe evaluated the DMFT (decayed, missing and fi lled teeth) index and the prevalence of candidiasis, linear gingival erythema, oral hairy leukoplakia, herpes simplex, aphthous ulcers, Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoma, as well as the association with TCD4 count, viral load (VL) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 140 HIV-infected adult individuals. A standardized examination to determine the DMFT index and the presence of oral lesions was conducted. Demographic data, TCD4 count and use of ART were obtained from medical records. A high number of decayed teeth detected among patients undergoing ART resulted in a mean DMFT of 16.9 teeth. It was observed that 24.2% of the individuals had at least one oral lesion. Candidiasis was the most frequent lesion and was associated with the TCD4 count. Oral hairy leukoplakia was associated with an increased VL. Regular use of ART was inversely associated with the occurrence of lesions. Overall, the studied population showed low prevalence of oral lesions and high DMFT index. The use of ART seems to reduce the occurrence of these lesions. Higher TCD4 count and a lower VL were associated with an improved oral health status in HIV+ individuals.

Oral health status of people living with HIV/AIDS attending a specialized service in Brazil

“…This is because patients that tend to adhere to treatment are more likely to seek health care and therefore, more often visit the dentist and the dental treatment is performed completely. [27][28][29] Historically, in Brazil, the adult population has been intended for emergency dental services, mostly caused by pain, which usually results in missing teeth.…”

People living with HIV and oral health professionals: What relationship?

“…The proper use of topical or systemic fluoride has significantly reduced dental decay and its side effects. Because PLHIV susceptibility to dental caries is a given, especially in children, it would be wise to use fluoridation to prevent caries [9,10].…”

“…HAART combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy is the management of HIV-associated KS referral treatment. This HAART therapy is useful in the management of HIV-related KSs, as it reduces the HIV viral load and increases CD4 percentage [2,10]. These two indicators contribute indirectly to Kaposi's sarcoma pathogenesis.…”

Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitudes of Dentists about HIV / AIDS and Oral Lesions

“…Erken tanı ve tedavi ile mortalite oranı azalarak yaşam beklentisi uzamakta ve bulaş oranları en aza düşmektedir. HIV enfekte hastalarda oral kavite ve diş etlerinde görülebilen çeşitli lezyonlar, tekrarlayan veya geçmeyen oral aftlar en erken belirtilerden olabilmektedir (5). Bu nedenle diş hekimlerinin HIV ile ilgili belirti, bulaş yolu ve oral lezyonları hakkında bilgi sahibi olması önem taşımaktadır.…”

“…(8). Bu artışın bir sonucu olarak özellikle ağız ve diş problemleri nedeniyle HIV/AIDS hastası ile karşılaşan diş hekimi sayısı da artmaktadır (9).Hastalığın her döneminde yaygın diş çürükleri, periodontal hastalık, aftöz ülserler gibi oral kavite ile ilgili yakınmaları olabilmekte, hatta bazen ilk diş hekimi tarafından farkedilmektedir (5). Birçok çalışma HIV enfekte hastalarda Diş hekimlerinin HIV konusundaki bilgi ve tutumunun ağız ve diş sağlığı hizmetlerinde önemli bir faktör olduğunu göstermektedir (7).…”