Risk factors for oral hairy leukoplakia in HIV-infected adults of Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) may be an indicator of the progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-induced immuno-depression, and the evaluation of risk factors leading to OHL is important in the management of these HIV-infected patients. However, there are few studies that analyze risk factors leading to OHL in the Brazilian population. The aim of this case-control study is to present data about prevalence rates and risk factors leading to OHL in a sample of HIV-infected adults in Brazil.


METHODS
This case-control study included 111 HIV-infected patients treated at a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. In the initial examinations with dentists, variables were collected from all patients. Diagnosis of OHL was performed in accordance with the International Classification System and cytological features. The Fisher and the chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis. The proportional prevalence and odds ratio were estimated.


RESULTS
Outcome presented a positive, statistically significant association among the presence of OHL and viral load of 3000 copies/mul or greater (P = 0.0001; odds ratio (OR) = 5.8), presence of oral candidiasis (P = 0.0000; OR = 11.1), previous use of fluconazole (P = 0.0000; OR = 24.6), and use of systemic acyclovir (P = 0.032; OR = 4.3). Antiretroviral medication presented a negative, statistically significant association with the presence of OHL (P = 0.002; OR = 8.4).


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of OHL was 28.8%. Viral load, oral candidiasis, previous use of fluconazole, and systemic acyclovir were determined to be risk factors for OHL. Antiretroviral medication proved to be protective against the development of OHL.
Moura
Mariela Dutra Gontijo
MD
Oral Pathology, Medicine and Surgery Department, Dentistry School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Grossmann
Soraya de Mattos Camargo
Sde M
Fonseca
Linaena Méricy da Silva
LM
Senna
Maria Inês Barreiros
MI
Mesquita
Ricardo Alves
RA
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D017733:Leukoplakia, Hairy / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D019562:Viral Load