Effect of statin therapy on oral Candida carriage in hyperlipidemia patients: A pioneer study

Hyperlipidemia affects about 25% of the adult population globally. Statins are the most commonly used drugs in the management of hyperlipidemia. Laboratory and retrospective clinical studies have observed the inhibitory effects of statins on the growth of different Candida species. The effect of statin therapy on oral Candida carriage has not yet been investigated.

This pioneer controlled study aimed to assess and compare asymptomatic oral Candida carriage in a group of 50 hyperlipidemic patients who were on regular statin therapy (HLS group) and in a control group of 50 subjects, matched in terms of gender, age and dental status, who were hyperlipidemic, but not on statin therapy (HLNS group).

The patients were recruited from the outpatient clinics of 2 university hospitals. The concentrated oral rinse technique was used to isolate oral Candida species in both groups. Candida species were identified using the germ tube test and the VITEK® 2 system.

The Candida prevalence and colony count were significantly lower in the HLS group as compared to the HLNS group (n = 20, 40% vs. n = 30, 60%, respectively; p = 0.040). There was no significant difference in the oral Candida prevalence or colony count between different age groups in either the statin or control subjects.

Statin therapy is associated with a reduction in oral Candida carriage in both prevalence and the colony count in hyperlipidemic patients.