Zidovudine Induced Oral Hyperpigmentation Among Hiv Patients In Kodagu region of India: A Clinico Epidemiological Study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/Keywords:
Anti retro viral therapy, pigmentation, Zidovudine-induced pigmentation, HIV.Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of oral pigmentation caused by Zidovudine in individuals
with HIV infection in the Kodagu region of India. Methods: The study included a total of 91 HIV-infected individuals who were undergoing treatment with Zidovudine. Thorough muco-cutaneous examinations were conducted to assess the presence of oral pigmentation. The location of the pigmented lesions, the duration since their appearance, and the duration of treatment were carefully documented. Subsequently, all the collected data were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis.
Results: Out of the 91 subjects receiving Zidovudine, 48 (52.7%) exhibited oral mucosal pigmentation, and 8 (8.8%) showed both intraoral and extraoral pigmentation. The most commonly affected intraoral sites were the buccal mucosa (47.3%), hard palate (30.8%), tongue (16.5%), gingiva (7.7%), lower alveolar ridge (3.3%), and upper alveolar ridge (1.1%). Additionally, 8 subjects (8.8%) exhibited pigmentation along the face and nails. Notably, 84.9% of individuals had been on Zidovudine for more than 5 years.
Conclusion: Prolonged treatment with Zidovudine is known to cause oral hyperpigmentation, which is a significant side effect. By providing prior explanations about the potential adverse reactions associated with the antiviral drug regimen, adherence to the treatment can be improved.
