Gender differences in human immunodeficiency virus-related oral lesions: An Italian study

Objective, The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship be tween oral lesions and gender age, CD4(+) cell count, human immunodeficienc y virus-1 (HIV-1) viral load, antiretroviral therapy and route of transmiss ion in a group of HIV-infected (HIV+) persons from the Mediterranean region . Study design. The participants in this study were HIV+ adults who sought de ntal care between January 1999 and lune 1999 in the Department of Oral Medi cine (University df Palermo, Italy). Results, One hundred thirty-six HIV+ adults came in for an initial oral exa mination. Their mean age was 35.2 years (SD +/- 7.97), and 33% were women. Their mean CD4(+) cell count was 325.3 x 10(6)/L (SD +/- 225.8), and their HIV-1 viral load was 39,168.3 copies/mL (SD +/- 144,256.1). Oral lesions we re found in 47% of the study group, as well as in 56.5% of women (n = 46) v ersus 45.5% of men (n = 90; P = .05). Oral candidiasis was the most common disease; it is significantly associated with women (P = .004), CD4(+) cell count (P = .005), and HIV-1 viral load (P = .0003). No significant relation ships were found between any types of oral lesions and age, antiretroviral therapy or route of transmission (P > .2). Conclusion. The prevalence of HIV-related oral lesions was significantly hi gher in women than in men, Especially for oral candidiasis, the most common lesion observed related to immune status and HIV-1 viral load.