Risk factors of oral candidosis: a twofold approach of study by fuzzy logic and traditional statistic.
OBJECTIVE
To assess a panel of risk factors associated to oral candidosis (OC) onset and its chronic maintenance by means of fuzzy logic (FL) approach and statistical traditional methodology (STM); to investigate their casual relationship within a multifactorial framework.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
One hospital-based clinic.


METHODS
Eighty-nine patients with OC infection microbiologically diagnosed and 98 healthy subjects were consecutively recruited.


METHODS
Anamnestic and clinical evaluations for OC, microbiological assessment (i.e. culture, CFU/mL counting and identification) were performed. The commonest predisposing factors for OC onset and its chronic status were analysed by FL and STM.


RESULTS
By means of a twofold analysis (FL and STM) significant associations between OC onset and its chronic maintenance were found with respect to denture wearing and hyposalivation/xerostomia, as local risk factors, and to age and female gender, as socio-demographical variables. Tobacco smoking was found not to be a risk factor.


CONCLUSIONS
The twofold (FL and STM) statistical approach for the identification of OC risk factors has been found useful and accurate in individuating a more selected target population for OC onset and chronic maintenance. The target patient appears to be an elderly person with multiple disease inducing, directly or by medications, hyposalivation/xerostomia. This data could provide to general and dental practitioners a decision-making model finalised to their preventative strategies for the geriatric population.
Campisi
G
G
Department of Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. camoisi@odonto.unipa.it
Panzarella
V
V
Matranga
D
D
Calvino
F
F
Pizzo
G
G
Lo Muzio
L
L
Porter
S
S
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003778:Dentures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000150:complications