Factors Associated with Oral Candidiasis in People Living with HIV/AIDS: A Case Control Study

BACKGROUND: Oral candidiasis (OC) is the most frequent opportunistic infection of the oral cavity caused by Candida species overgrowth. A wide variety of risk factor that contributes to yeast infection especially candidiasis. It might be acting as an early marker for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). There are some risk factors for PLWHA associated OC at Wangaya hospital in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. AIM: To identify risk factors of OC in PLWHA at Wangaya Hospital in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Case control study was conducted from March 1, 2016 and July 30, 2019, included 448 participants (207 cases and 241 controls). Consecutive recruitment was employed. METHODS: Cases were PLWHA (18 to 60 years old) with OC and controls without OC. Diagnosis of OC based on the clinical features which are the pseudomembranous candidiasis; oral thrush. An interviewer administered a structured questionnaire used to collect information on risk factors. Statistical analysis used: bivariate analysis was performed on all variables. Chi-square test with statistically significant was at a level of 0.05. RESULTS: The participants included 207 (46.20%) PLWHA with OC and 241 (53.80%) PLWHA who did not have OC. The majority participants, 293 (65.40%) were male. OC was associated with age [p = 0.03; OR = 0.66 (95% CI:0.45-0.95)]; sex [p = 0.002; OR = 1.88 (95% CI:1.26-2.80)]; Xerostomia [p = 0.000; OR = 4.15 (95% CI:2.76-6.23)]; smoking [p = 0.000; OR = 6.83 (95% CI: 4.46-10.44)]; alcohol consumption [p = 0.000; OR = 5.76 (95% CI: 3.74-8.83)]; antibiotic usage [p = 0.000; OR = 4.49 (95% CI: 2.93-6.90)]; CD4 count [p = 0.000; OR = 3.29 (95% CI:2.24-4.86)]; HIV clinical stage [p = 0.000; OR = 3.58 (95% CI 2.39-5.37)]. No significant association between prothesis with OC. CONCLUSION: We found that age, sex, xerostomia, smoking, alcohol consumption, antibiotic usage, CD4 counts and advanced HIV Clinical stage (AIDS) were significant associated risk factors for OC in PLWHA.