Prevalence of Chronic Erythematous Candidiasis in Lebanese Denture Wearers: a Clinico-microbiological Study

OBJECTIVE Chronic erythematous candidiasis also known as denture-related stomatitis refers to inflammatory changes of the denture-bearing mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic erythematous candidiasis in a Lebanese population using clinical and microbiological examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety-eight patients wearing full acrylic maxillary denture (50 women and 48 men) were included in this study. A clinical oral assessment and a microbiological exam using swab samples collected from the palate of these patients were performed and the data obtained were analyzed statistically. RESULTS Sixty-nine point thirty-eight per cent (69.38%) of the patients examined, (68 out of 98; 25 men and 43 women), presented chronic erythematous candidiasis. The statistical analysis showed that patient's gender was a significant predictor of the disease while no statistically significant relationship with the patient's age was found. CONCLUSION Within the limits of this study, the prevalence of chronic erythematous candidiasis is estimated to be high in Lebanon. Women were more affected than men.