XEROSTOMIA IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS TAKING ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY AND METHODS OF ITS CORRECTION

Xerostomia in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a common problem that reduces quality of life and contributes to the development of dental complications. The need for non-pharmacological methods of correction that do not require discontinuation of ART makes this study particularly important. The difficulty of correcting this condition without discontinuing ART dictates the need to develop non-drug methods. This paper examines a comprehensive approach to xerostomia therapy that combines moisturizing and stimulation of salivation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive xerostomia correction regimen based on moisturizing and stimulating agents in HIV-infected patients receiving ART. A prospective, non-randomized study was conducted involving 23 patients. The following products were used: moisturizing toothpaste with hyaluronic acid, Aquamed spray, and xylitol chewing gums. The evaluation included subjective (VAS) and objective indicators (salivation rate, OHIP-14 index). As a result, 82.6% of patients showed significant improvement: a decrease in dryness on the VAS from 7.2 to 2.1 points (p < 0.01), an increase in salivation rate by 92%, and normalization of pH. The developed comprehensive scheme of xerostomia correction in HIV-infected patients on ART demonstrated high clinical efficiency and safety. It is recommended to include this method in programs of patient care programs with HIV, especially for persons with high speech load. A promising direction is the study of long-term results (6-12 months). Based on the results, it can be concluded that the proposed scheme is effective, safe, and does not require changes in ARV, which is important for the prevention of resistance. The results are of practical value for dentists and infectious disease specialists.