FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED FREQUENCY OF HIV-RELATED ORAL CANDIDIASIS

HIV-related oral candidiasis was investigated in 71 HIV-seropositive patients who received interviews, oral examinations and hematologic investigation. Diagnosis of candidiasis was based on clinical signs and examination of PAS-stained smears. The frequency of candidiasis was 24/71 (34%). The clinical presentations were pseudomembranous 8 (11%), erythematous 14 (20%), angular cheilitis 3 (4%). Twenty-six patients (37%) had candidiasis or were receiving antifungal treatment for recurrent pseudomembranous type. Twelve of 13 (92%) patients with AIDS and 14/58 (24%) without AIDS were affected. Bivariate analyses showed significant associations with AIDS, the use of zidovudine, low T4-count, xerostomia; marital status (sometime married), restricted performance status and age of > 35 yr. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of xerostomia was an independent and statistically significant predictor of HIV-related oral candidiasis. T4-count and restricted performance status were the second and third most important predictors.