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OLGA DI FEDE

Oral lichen planus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV: no association in a cohort study from an area of high hepatitis C virus endemicity

  • Authors: CAMPISI G; DI FEDE O; CRAXI' A; DI STEFANO R; MARGIOTTA V
  • Publication year: 2004
  • Type: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
  • OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/17042

Abstract

Objectives We sought to assess the age-specific prevalence of oral lichen planus (OLP) in Mediterranean patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and to evaluate the features of OLP in relation to sex, smoking, HCV genotype, HIV-1 coinfection, and antiviral treatments. Methods In all, 178 anti-HCV-positive adults (60 women and 118 men; age range 20-66 years) recruited from two cohorts (104 HIV-negative patients and 74 patients with HIV coinfection) underwent oral examination. Results Overall prevalence of OLP was 2.8% (5 of 178) (male/female ratio 0.2; odds ratio=0.119; 95% confidence interval=0.013-1.106), only among HIV-negative participants, always in the reticular pattern, and in the adult age. HCV genotype, tobacco smoking, and treatment (interferon alfa/ribavirin) were not significantly associated to OLP. Conclusions Among HCV-infected patients, we found a low prevalence of OLP. The absence of OLP in HIV-coinfected patients suggests immunosuppression secondary to defective CD4 functions.