Dental status of Portuguese HIV+ patients and related variables: a multivariate analysis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the dental status of 101 Portuguese HIV+ subjects aged 22-71 years (mean = 39) and its association with clinical, socioeconomic, and behavioral variables.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A calibrated dentist performed clinical examination and collected data on dental caries, periodontal status, dental plaque levels, prosthetic conditions, and need. The volunteers completed questionnaires on socioeconomic and behavioral variables as well as the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Univariate and multiple logistic regression (MLR) analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The mean number of decayed, missing or filled teeth index (DMFT index) was 16.44, standard deviation (s.d.) = 8.42. MLR demonstrated that salaried employee and those with OHIP-14 <or=4.22, or any/no dental plaque were less prone to have DMFT > median (=17). As regards prosthetic status, 28.8% of the examined individuals used dental prosthesis. MLR demonstrated that HIV+ with DMFT >17 or those who knew they were HIV-positive for longer than 5 years were more prone to need dental prostheses. The mean OHIP-14 index was 5.83 (s.d. = 7.79).

CONCLUSIONS

The dental health status of HIV-infected Portuguese patients was unsatisfactory and related to clinical, socioeconomic, and behavioral variables.