How Oral Conditions and Oral Substance Abuse Can Affect the Oral Health Related Quality of Life of Patients With Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus?

Abstract

Background This survey’s aim was to evaluate the impact of oral conditions and oral substance abuse on the oral health related quality of adult patients carrying the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, in Santa Maria city, Brazil. Methods This cross-sectional survey examined all HIV patients between 18 and 65 years in treatment and follow-up at the outpatient Service of infectious diseases in Santa Maria. Three previously trained and calibrated examiners conducted the clinical examination. A structured questionnaire was used to assess socioeconomic characteristics and oral substance abuse. To evaluate the oral health related to the quality of life the OHIP-14 questionnaire was used. The data was analyzed with multivariate regression of Poisson. Results Individuals with the HIV virus who had DMF-t > 3 showed a greater impact on their quality of life compared to those with DMF-t ≤ 3 (RP 1.03; 95 CI% 1.01–1.06). Drug users had a greater impact than those who did not use drugs (RP 1.52; 95 CI% 1.06–2.19). Antiretroviral therapy users and smoking habits did not influence oral health-related quality of life. HIV patients without social support had a greater impact on their quality of life compared to patients with social support (RP 1.71; 95CI% 1.20–2.44). Furthermore, the use of toothpaste showed to be a protective factor (RP 0.49; 95 CI% 0.32–0.74). Conclusion Presence of tooth decay, absence of social support, use of drugs, and use of toothpaste affects the oral heath quality of life in adult HIV patients.