title: [Oropharyngeal candidiasis in elderly patients].
abstract: Oropharyngeal candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection of the oral cavity caused by an overgrowth of candida species, the commonest being Candida albicans. The prevalence in the hospital or institution varies from 13 to 47% of elderly persons. The main clinical types are denture stomatitis, acute atrophic glossitis, thrush and angular cheilitis. Diagnosis is usually made on clinical ground. Culture and sensitivity testing should be undertaken if initial therapy is unsuccessful. Predisposing factors of oral candidiasis could be local and/or systemic. Local factors include wearing dentures, impaired salivary gland function and poor oral health. Systemic factors include antibiotics and some other drugs, malnutrition, diabetes, immunosuppression and malignancies. Management involves an appropriate antifungal treatment and oral hygiene. Predisposing factors should be treated or eliminated where feasible. Oral hygiene involves cleaning the teeth and dentures. Dentures should be disinfected daily and left out overnight.
authors.affiliation: Groupe hospitalier Mondor, Département de médecine interne et gériatrie, Créteil.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laurent
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gogly
authors.forename: Farzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tahmasebi
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paillaud
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002176:Candida albicans; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003778:Dentures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents