Contemporary profile of oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS and associated risk factors in a southeastern US clinic

Background: Introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in a significant decrease of oral manifestations (OMs). The profile and risk factors for OM in those individuals initiating HAART remain understudied in the Southeast of the United States, region of increasing HIV prevalence. Objective: To determine clinical, socio‐demographic, and laboratory characteristics associated with the presence of OM among patients initiating HAART. Methods: Retrospective review of electronically captured data from patients initiating HAART at a Southeastern US clinic. Prevalence was determined, and risk factors for overall OM, oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), and all other OM were evaluated using logistic regression. Results: In our sample (n = 744), majority of individuals were males (75 percent), African‐American (50 percent), mean age of 39 years, 42 percent of which reported sex with men (MSM). Two hundred sixty‐six had some type of OM. Compared with those without any OM, patients with OM had a lower mean baseline CD4+ T cells count (CD4 count) (331 ± 260 versus 179 ± 244 CD4 cells/mm3) and higher mean baseline HIV‐1 RNA viral load (4.0 ± 1.34 log10 versus 4.6 ± 1.30 log10) (P