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The Impact of Oral Health in HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy

Recruiting
Conditions
Non-communicable Disease
Caries
Xerostomia
HIV
Periodontal Diseases
Registration Number
NCT04645693
Lead Sponsor
University of Pennsylvania
Brief Summary

This is a prospective cohort study designed to investigate the range of metabolic abnormalities observed in patients living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. This study will also explore the concurrent role of poor oral health in supporting and driving chronic immune activation and inflammation in HIV infection.

Detailed Description

This is a prospective cohort study designed to investigate the range of metabolic abnormalities observed in patients living with HIV (PLWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study will also explore the concurrent role of poor oral health in supporting and driving chronic immune activation and inflammation in HIV infection.

Following enrollment in study, patients will be followed up every 6 months for approximately 2.5 years (30 months). During this period, comprehensive medical records will be obtained, and study data will be updated every 6 months; questionnaires will be handed to patients periodically to assess quality of life and effects of xerostomia on QoL; social history will be assessed using TAPS; oral health will be evaluated every 6 months and blood, saliva, and oral swabs collected every 6 months. DXA scan and panoramic radiographs will also be taken at baseline and 24 months.

At the end of the study, caries rate, periodontal health, bone loss, QoL, salivary quantity and composition, presence or absence of white/red lesions, as well as inflammatory cytokines and immune activation markers will be assessed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
350
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥18 years
  • Has been diagnosed with HIV (as documented by a prior laboratory report of positive HIV-1/2 antibody and/or detectable HIV RNA, available for review by the study team)
  • Has received antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months
  • Able and willing to provide informed consent prior to initiation of study procedures
  • Willing and able to comply with all study procedures, and likely to be available for the duration of the study
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Has been diagnosed with the following xerostomia-related autoimmune conditions: Sjorgen's and sarcoidosis
  • Has never received radiation therapy to the head or neck (including radioactive iodine therapy)
  • Was taking anti-osteoporotic agents (biphosphonates, denosumab) prior to HIV diagnosis.
  • Women who are pregnant at the time of enrollment.
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Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Dental Caries as assessed by DMFS Score30 months after baseline visit

Decayed, missing and filled surfaces (DMFS) score to assess dental caries. Minimum value is 0 and maximum value is 128 for 28 teeth. Higher scores mean higher levels of dental decay.

Periodontal disease30 months after baseline visit

Incidence of periodontal disease

Oral mucosal lesions coinfection as assessed by the presence or absence of candidiasis, red/white lesions, ulcers and warts intraorally30 months after baseline visit

Prescence or absence of warts, red or white lesions and candidia

Osteopenia as assessed by DXA scan findings24 months after baseline visit

Incidence of osteopenia

Quality of life as assessed by the Xerostomia Quality of Life Scale (XeQoLS)30 months after baseline visit

The XeQoLS consists of 15 questions. The first 14 questions assess how dryness in the mouth impacts the individual's life, with answer options of "not at all," "a little," "somewhat," "quite a bit," and "very much." The final question asks "if you were to spend the rest of your life with your dry mouth/throat dryness just the way it is now, how would you feel about this?" and includes options ranging from "delighted" to "terrible." All 15 questions can be translated to a score of 0-4, with a score of 4 indicating the most dry mouth-related problems and 0 indicating no dry mouth-related problems.

Quality of life as assessed by the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL)30 months after baseline visit

Oral health related quality of life will be assessed using the questionnaire developed for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This questionnaire assesses the topic areas of last visit to dentist or lack of dental care; direct conversation with dental professional about your dental health; dental health perception; oral cancer exam; use of dental floss or dental rinse product; and periodontal disease self-report. Each topic area uses a separate scoring system and may be assessed individually.

Quality of life as assessed by the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use (TAPS) Tool30 months after baseline visit

The TAPS tool screens for substance use (including tobacco, alcohol, prescription medication, and other drugs) and includes a brief assessment of abuse risk for those who screen positive. Individuals who screen positive for use of any of the substances are then scored as 0 (no use in the past 3 months), 1 (problem use), and 2+ (high risk for substance use disorder).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Xerostomia as assessed by stimulated saliva secretion rate30 months after baseline visit

Prevalence of xerostomia

Saliva proteins30 months after baseline visit

levels of IgA expression will be assessed

Correlative measuresBaseline through 30 months

Salivary cytokines: levels of IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, TNF-α, neopterin, β-2-microglobulin (β2M) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 will be assessed

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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