HIV-related oral disease epidemiology among women: year 2000 update.

OBJECTIVES

The goals of this literature review were to (1) update a prior review [Shiboski CH (1997) The epidemiology of HIV-related oral manifestations in women: a review. Oral Dis 3: S18-S27] of studies on the epidemiology of HIV-related oral manifestations in women prior to the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART); (2) explore the effect of HAART on HIV-related oral disease among women; and (3) explore future research directions with respect to HIV-related oral disease epidemiology among African women.

METHODS

A computer-assisted search was conducted to identify studies on the prevalence of oral conditions in HIV-infected women in relation to immunological markers and HAART [excluding studies reviewed in Shiboski CH (1997) The epidemiology of HIV-related oral manifestations in women: a review. Oral Dis 3: S18-S27]. Results were summarized and discussed for (1) studies conducted in the developed world prior to and during the era of HAART; and (2) studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa.

RESULTS

Candidiasis (OC) is the most common oral lesion among HIV-infected women, and has been found to be associated with a low CD4 count and a high plasma viral load. Preliminary findings suggest that HAART is associated with a decreasing OC incidence. The few studies identified on HIV-related oral disease in African women suggest that OC is also a common condition in this setting.

CONCLUSION

Future oral epidemiology research efforts in Africa should focus on the potential role of OC as sentinel marker of HIV infection and disease progression, to improve detection and prevention of selected opportunistic illnesses.