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Research article
Dental caries in association with viral load in children living with HIV in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: a cross-sectional study
Kimiyo Kikuchi
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9397-4327
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This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Oral health status is known to be associated with overall health among people living with HIV. However, it is unclear whether dental caries is associated with viral load among this population. In particular, dental caries among children living with HIV needs to be better understood, as this can affect their overall health and future well-being. This study assessed the association between dental caries and viral load among children living with HIV in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Paediatric Hospital as a baseline survey of a randomized controlled trial. The study population included children living with HIV aged 3–15 years and their primary caregivers. Calibrated examiners collected data on dental caries status (WHO index) and the latest HIV viral load data stored in the patients’ information system at the hospital. On the day of the dental examination, children’s caregivers and older children were invited to answer a questionnaire-based interview. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between dental caries and viral load. The cut-off point for undetectable viral load was set at <40 copies/mL.
Results: Data from 328 children were included in the analysis; 68.3% had an undetectable viral load. The mean decayed, missing, or filled permanent/deciduous teeth was 7.7 (standard deviation = 5.0). In the regression analysis, dental caries in permanent or deciduous teeth was positively associated with detectable viral load (adjusted odds ratio: 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.14). Conversely, antiretroviral therapy of ≥1 year and self-reported better adherence to antiretroviral drugs were negatively associated with detectable viral load. Among children with detectable viral load, dental caries in permanent or deciduous teeth was also positively associated with non-suppression of viral load (>1000 copies/mL) (adjusted odds ratio: 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.23).
Conclusions: Dental caries was associated with viral load status detection among children living with HIV. This finding suggests that dental caries may affect the immune status of children. The oral health of children living with HIV should be strengthened, and further research is needed to clarify the causal relationship between viral load and oral health status.
Keywords
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Cambodia, cross-sectional study, HIV, oral health, viral load.
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Received 13 Oct, 2020
Editor assigned
On 21 Sep, 2020
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Reviewer #1 agreed
On 21 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 21 Sep, 2020
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On 20 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 20 Sep, 2020
No comments provided
Review #2 received
Received 17 Aug, 2020
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 17 Aug, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 10 Aug, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 22 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 20 Jul, 2020
Reviewers invited
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Oral Health. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Dental caries in association with viral load in children living with HIV in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: a cross-sectional study
Kimiyo Kikuchi
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9397-4327
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 3
Posted 21 Jan, 2021
No community comments so far
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 10 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 10 Jan, 2021
Editor assigned
On 09 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 09 Jan, 2021
Editor invited
On 09 Jan, 2021
No comments provided
Review #1 received
Received 13 Oct, 2020
Editor assigned
On 21 Sep, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 21 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 21 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 21 Sep, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 20 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 20 Sep, 2020
No comments provided
Review #2 received
Received 17 Aug, 2020
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 17 Aug, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 10 Aug, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 22 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 20 Jul, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 10 Jul, 2020
Editor assigned
On 29 Jun, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 28 Jun, 2020
Editor invited
On 28 Jun, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Oral health status is known to be associated with overall health among people living with HIV. However, it is unclear whether dental caries is associated with viral load among this population. In particular, dental caries among children living with HIV needs to be better understood, as this can affect their overall health and future well-being. This study assessed the association between dental caries and viral load among children living with HIV in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Paediatric Hospital as a baseline survey of a randomized controlled trial. The study population included children living with HIV aged 3–15 years and their primary caregivers. Calibrated examiners collected data on dental caries status (WHO index) and the latest HIV viral load data stored in the patients’ information system at the hospital. On the day of the dental examination, children’s caregivers and older children were invited to answer a questionnaire-based interview. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between dental caries and viral load. The cut-off point for undetectable viral load was set at <40 copies/mL.
Results: Data from 328 children were included in the analysis; 68.3% had an undetectable viral load. The mean decayed, missing, or filled permanent/deciduous teeth was 7.7 (standard deviation = 5.0). In the regression analysis, dental caries in permanent or deciduous teeth was positively associated with detectable viral load (adjusted odds ratio: 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.14). Conversely, antiretroviral therapy of ≥1 year and self-reported better adherence to antiretroviral drugs were negatively associated with detectable viral load. Among children with detectable viral load, dental caries in permanent or deciduous teeth was also positively associated with non-suppression of viral load (>1000 copies/mL) (adjusted odds ratio: 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.23).
Conclusions: Dental caries was associated with viral load status detection among children living with HIV. This finding suggests that dental caries may affect the immune status of children. The oral health of children living with HIV should be strengthened, and further research is needed to clarify the causal relationship between viral load and oral health status.