Factors Affecting Linear Gingival Erythema in People Living with HIV

Objective: To investigate factors influencing the occurrence of linear gingival erythema (LGE) in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dental Hospital of Sultan Agung, Central Java, Indonesia. PLHIV who provided informed consent underwent oral clinical examination and history taking. Inclusion criteria included the presence of well-demarcated, band-like erythema along the gingival margin. Blood samples were collected to assess CD4 cell counts, while mucosal swabs were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose agar to identify Candida spp. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression with a 95 confidence interval. Results: A total of 91 participants were examined, and LGE was identified in 35.2 of cases. Mycological analysis revealed that 33 tested positive for Candida spp. Multivariate analysis showed prevalence ratios for gender (PR = 1.44, p=0.423), smoking (PR = 0.432, p=0.314), alcohol (PR = 0.000, p=1.000), ARV duration (PR = 0.962, p=0.49), CD4 count (PR = 0.999, p=0.587), CFU Candida spp. (PR = 1.000, p=0.528), Candida spp. presence (PR = 0.638, p=0.182), and fungal burden (PR = 0.713, p=0.232). Conclusion: The presence of linear gingival erythema in people living with HIV was not significantly associated with gender, lifestyle factors, antiretroviral therapy duration, CD4 count, or Candida spp. colonization.