HIV-related oral lesions, demographic factors, clinical staging and anti-retroviral use.

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence of HIV-related oral lesions (HIV-OL) between two health centers for HIV in Mexico City and to analyze the factors that, in addition to combined antiretroviral therapy (CART) and low CD4(+), may be associated with possible differences in prevalence.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed between January 2000 and February 2003 at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), a specialized referral center for HIV/AIDS patients and the Clínica Especializada Condesa (CEC), a primary care center for HIV-infected individuals without social security insurance. A consecutive sample of HIV-infected individuals had an oral examination based on established clinical criteria. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained. Independent association of each factor with specific HIV-OL was assessed by logistic regression modeling.
Results: Eight hundred fifty individuals were examined (INCMNSZ: 479; CEC: 371). Hairy leukoplakia (HL), periodontal disease (PD) and Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) were independently associated with the study site [odds ratio (OR) = 1.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-2.4), OR = 4.2 (95% CI: 1.3-13), OR = 10.1 (95% CI: 2.7-38.2), respectively], being more frequent in CEC patients. HL was independently associated with men having sex with men OR = 1.7 (95% CI: 1.1-2.8). All HIV-OL were independently associated with CD4(+) counts and, with the exception of PD and KS, with time under CART.
Conclusions: The present comparative study showed that several factors were associated with a difference in prevalence of oral lesions found in two AIDS clinics located in Mexico City. Severe immune suppression, CART duration and the study site were associated with HIV-OL. Further investigation into factors such as socioeconomic determinants associated with HIV-OL is warranted.