Oral lesions in HIV-positive dental patients – one more argument for tobacco smoking cessation

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts

Abstract

Tobacco smoking appeared to be more related to lesions arising from immunosuppression in these patients than did HIV.

Main

Sroussi HY, Villines D et al. Oral Diseases 2007; 13: 324–328

There are marked reductions in some oral lesions in HIV patients on highly-active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), but paradoxical increases in other lesions in some studies. This study reviewed the condition of 415 consecutive patients in a dedicated HIV dental clinic in Chicago.

Oral manifestations of HIV were apparent in 55% of subjects, and 56% smoked. Oral candidiasis was present in 39% of subjects, and 44% of smokers. Hairy leucoplakia occurred in 12% of smokers and 3% of non-smokers. Overall, taking CD4 counts into consideration, significant inverse partial correlations for no oral lesions were identified for smoking and cigarettes per day, but for ethnicity, gender and HAART, the correlations were not significant. The authors consider smoking to be a major risk factor for oral lesions in HIV patients.