HIV Related Oral Lesions and Associated Variables

Objectives: Oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS are a common occurrence at all the stages of the infection. This study outlines the effects of the following variables on the presentation of these lesions: stage of infection (CDC 1993), CD4 count, viral load, gender, age group, smoking, alcohol consumption and marital status.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 409 confirmed, HAART naïve, HIV sero-positive adults. They were seen at the AIDS Preventive Initiative for Nigeria (APIN) Centre, Jos, Nigeria. Diagnosis of oral lesions was based on the criteria proposed by the European Economic Community (EEC) Clearinghouse on oral problems related to HIV infection (1993). The variables examined include: the stage of infection (CDC 1993), CD4 count, viral load, gender and age group. Others are smoking, alcohol consumption and marital status. Viral load measurement was by quantification of viral RNA in peripheral blood using Amplicor® HIV-1 Monitor Test, version 1.5. CD4 count was determined by the Flowcytometric (Cyflow) method.

Results: The age range was 19 – 75 years with a mean of 36.16 ± 9.69. 238 (58.2%) patients were females. Oral lesions attributable to HIV/AIDS infection were found in 180 (44%) patients, 63 (35%) of these patients (180) had multiple lesions. Oral lesions were diagnosed more frequently in women than in men (24.9% Vs 19.1%). Candidiasis (25%) was the commonest presentation. 81.1% of the patients have AIDS by CDC classification of 1993. Smoking, gender, marital status and the age groups were not significantly associated with the presence of HIV related oral lesions (p>0.05). CD4 counts, stage of infection, alcohol consumption and viral load were associated with the presentation of HIV related oral lesions (p<0.05)

Conclusions: Though HIV-related oral lesions could appear at any stage of the infection in an adult population, these presentations could be affected by the presence or absence of some variables.