Effects of long-term use of HAART on oral health status of HIV-infected subjects.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of long-term use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on oral health status of HIV-infected subjects.


METHODS
Oral examination and measurement of saliva flow rate of both unstimulated and wax-stimulated whole saliva were performed in HIV-infected subjects with and without HAART, and in non-HIV individuals. The following data were recorded; duration and risk of HIV infection, type and duration of HAART, CD4 cell count, viral load, presence of orofacial pain, oral dryness, oral burning sensation, oral lesions, cervical caries, and periodontal pocket. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of long-term use of HAART on oral health status of HIV-infected subjects.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifty-seven HIV-infected subjects - 99 on HAART (age range 23-57 years, mean 39 years) and 58 not on HAART (age range 20-59 years, mean 34 years) - and 50 non-HIV controls (age range 19-59 years, mean 36 years) were enrolled. The most common HAART regimen was 2 NRTI + 2 NNRTI. HIV-infected subjects without HAART showed greater risks of having orofacial pain, oral dryness, oral lesions, and periodontal pockets than those with short-term HAART (P < 0.01). The subjects with long-term HAART were found to have a greater risk of having oral lesions than those with short-term HAART (P < 0.05). The unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates of the subjects with HAART were significantly lower than in those without HAART (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that long-term HAART has adverse effects on oral health status of HIV-infected subjects.
Nittayananta
Wipawee
W
Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand. wipawee.ni@psu.ac.th
Talungchit
Sineepat
S
Jaruratanasirikul
Sutep
S
Silpapojakul
Kachornsakdi
K
Chayakul
Panthip
P
Nilmanat
Ampaipith
A
Pruphetkaew
Nannapat
N
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D009909:Oral Health; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012636:Secretory Rate; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult