Hepatitis C associated oral lesions: A hospital-based retrospective case control study in Egypt

Abstract

Aim: Investigate the association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on incidence of various oral lesions in a sample of Egyptian population. Materials and Methods: This case control observational retrospective study was conducted on outpatients' clinics of a University Hospital. The predicted total sample size (n) was 100 with 1:1 ratio by using GFNx01Power (version 3.1.9.79). In which, incidence and frequency of different oral manifestations in 50 HCV patients (cases) were compared to that of 50 healthy individuals(controls). Demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Frequencies of findings were compared and analyzed using Fisher's exact test, and regression analysis was performed to ascertain the effects of hepatitis C as well as age, sex and diabetes mellitus on the likelihood of different oral findings. Results: The oral mucosal signs and symptoms were generally more frequent among HCV compared to healthy controls. The frequency was statistically significant higher in HCV patients regarding xerostomia (40%), altered taste (24%) and oral lichen planus (20%), but insignificant regarding atrophic tongue (18%), oral pigmentation (14%) and pallor (10%). The presence of HCV was significantly associated with increased odds of xerostomia (P = 0.028, OR=4.3), oral pigmentations (P = 0.013, OR=12.6) and atrophic tongue (P = 0.039, OR=7.8). While other predictors had no significant effects on any of oral findings. Conclusion: In a hospital-based sample of Egyptian population; Xerostomia, altered taste and oral lichen planus were significantly frequent with HCV infection in comparison to healthy individuals. While xerostomia, oral pigmentations and atrophic tongue were associated with HCV.