CD4 count and oral health related quality of life of HIV-infected individuals at a tertiary healthcare center in Dharan – A cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Ashish Shrestha B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3449-7134
  • Jyotsna Rimal B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
  • Nimesh Poudyal B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v13i4.17808

Keywords:

CD4 cells, HIV/AIDS, oral health, quality of life

Abstract

Background & Objective:  Patients with severe immuno-suppression are at risk of having poor oral hygiene and severe periodontal diseases, thus limiting their quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with HIV/AIDS and its association with the CD4 cell count.

Materials & Methods:  A cross-sectional study was conducted using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) among 122 HIV/AIDS patients visiting the CD4 laboratory at a tertiary healthcare center at Dharan, from January-December 2009. Oral examination and recording of dental indices were done. CD4 cell count was correlated with OHIP-14 and dental indices using Spearman’s rho; p < 0.01 was considered as statistically significant.

Results:  Sixty four males and 58 females with median age of 34 years had a mean CD4 cell count of 360.46 cells/mm3 (range=111-1076 cells/mm3). OHRQoL was affected in 25.4% of the individuals with mean OHIP-14 score of 2.5. Most of the individuals (85.7%) were on ART, never used tobacco (68%) or alcohol (74.5%). Mean OHI-S and DMFT were 1.65 and 1.57, respectively and periodontal pocket observed in only 3.3% individuals. The CD4 cell count had no significant positive correlation with OHIP-14 ((rs=0.071; p=0.61), OHI-S (rs=0.21; p=0.127) and DMFT (rs=0.015; p=0.912). There was no significant difference in parameters with regards to gender.

Conclusion: Although CD4 cells are an important indicator for clinical aggravation of HIV infection, OHRQoL and oral health as measured by OHI-S, DMFT and CPI are not directly associated to the CD4 cell count.

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Author Biographies

Ashish Shrestha, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences

Additional Professor & Head

Department of Public Health Dentistry

Jyotsna Rimal, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences

Additional Professor & Head

Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology

Nimesh Poudyal, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences

Additional Professor

Department of Microbiology

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Published

2017-12-20

How to Cite

Shrestha, A., Rimal, J., & Poudyal, N. (2017). CD4 count and oral health related quality of life of HIV-infected individuals at a tertiary healthcare center in Dharan – A cross-sectional study. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 13(4), 392–396. https://doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v13i4.17808

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Original Articles