Oral manifestations of HIV patients in South Indian population

OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of oral manifestations in HIV-infected patients and to correlate oral manifestations with age, gender, severity, and clinical staging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients of either sex diagnosed as HIV positive were included in the study. The data obtained were analyzed statistically using Fisher's exact test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Among the 50 HIV-infected patients, oral manifestations were found in 40 (80.0%) patients. Thirty (60%) patients were seen in the age range between 31 and 65 years, and 29 (58%) patients were females. Majority of the patients [26 (52%)] were in the clinical staging C, of whom 23 (88.5%) were with manifestations with significant statistical value (P < 0.05). Patients with CD4 count less than 200 had manifestations in 22 (88%) patients. Correlation between reduction in CD4 count and presence of manifestations was significant (P < 0.05). Twenty-eight (80%) patients without antiretroviral therapy (ART) reported with manifestations. Correlation between ART and presence of manifestations was not significant (P = 1.00). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Oral manifestations are the indicators for the disease progression. Clinical stage C and lower CD4 count may be useful predictors for HIV, with greater prevalence of oral manifestations.