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

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral lesions and gender, age, CD4(+) cell count, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) viral load, antiretroviral therapy, and route of transmission in a group of HIV-infected (HIV+) persons from the Mediterranean region.

The participants in this study were HIV+ adults who sought dental care between January 1999 and June 1999 in the Department of Oral Medicine (University of Palermo, Italy).

One hundred thirty-six HIV+ adults came in for an initial oral examination. 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 were found in 47% of the study group, as well as in 56.5% of women (n = 46) versus 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 relationships were found between any types of oral lesions and age, antiretroviral therapy, or route of transmission (P >.2).

The prevalence of HIV-related oral lesions was significantly higher in women than in men, especially for oral candidiasis, the most common lesion observed related to immune status and HIV-1 viral load.