Prevalence of Chronic Erythematous Candidiasis in Lebanese Denture Wearers: a Clinico-microbiological Study

OBJECTIVE: Chronic erythematous candidiasis also known as denture-related stomatitis refers to inflammatory changes of the denture-bearing mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic erythematous candidiasis in a Lebanese population using clinical and microbiological examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-eight patients wearing full acrylic maxillary denture (50 women and 48 men) were included in this study. A clinical oral assessment and a microbiological exam using swab samples collected from the palate of these patients were performed and the data obtained were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Sixty-nine point thirty-eight per cent (69.38%) of the patients examined, (68 out of 98; 25 men and 43 women), presented chronic erythematous candidiasis. The statistical analysis showed that patient’s gender was a significant predictor of the disease while no statistically significant relationship with the patient’s age was found. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, the prevalence of chronic erythematous candidiasis is estimated to be high in Lebanon. Women were more affected than men.