title: Unstimulated whole salivary flow rate and anxiolytics intake are independently associated with oral Candida infection in patients with oral lichen planus.
abstract: Many factors have been proposed to influence oral infection with yeast. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral yeasts in oral lichen planus (OLP) patients and control subjects, and to perform a multiple logistic regression analysis to identify factors that influence oral Candida infection in OLP patients. In this cross-sectional study, 90 new patients with OLP and 90 sex- and age-matched control subjects with no mucosal lesions were interviewed about their health status, use of medication, and smoking and alcohol habits. Swab and unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected and salivary pH was measured. A positive Candida culture was more prevalent among OLP patients (48.9%) than among control subjects (26.7%). Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups. By logistic regression analysis, unstimulated whole salivary flow rates of 0.11-0.24 ml min(-1) (OR = 5.90) and 0.25-0.32 ml min(-1) (OR = 3.51) and benzodiazepine anxiolytics intake (OR = 8.30) were independently associated with the presence of Candida among OLP patients. Age, denture wearing, levels of dentition, decreased salivary pH, antihypertensive drugs, and alcohol consumption were not associated with oral Candida infection in OLP patients. The results indicate that data on benzodiazepine anxiolytics intake and evaluation of unstimulated whole salivary flow rate should be considered as part of the clinical evaluation to identify OLP patients at risk for Candida infection.
authors.affiliation: Dental Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bokor-Bratic
authors.forename: Milos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cankovic
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dragnic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines
keywords: Candida infection; anxiolytics; oral lichen planus; salivary flow rate