Comparison of periodontal disease in HIV seropositive subjects and controls
Because of the several associated advanced periodontal conditions, such as necrotizing stomatitis and AIDS-virus-associated periodontitis, that arise within patients with HIV, it is speculated that more overall periodontal problems will be seen within this group. Therefore, this study design was to follow a group of 29 seropositive HIV patients, with the inclusion of advanced HIV infection or AIDS, to observe clinical changes compared to 27 non-seropositive controls at three monthly intervals.
At baseline there was no significant attachment loss difference between these two groups, but the seropositive subjects did show more severe attachment loss localized to the lower incisor region and sites with suppuration and redness. Twenty out of 2,814 sites showed greater than 3 mm attachment loss for the seropositive group, and nine subjects showed widespread attachment loss. The classification for widespread periodontal disease if 30% or more of all sites had 3 mm or more of attachment loss was 9 of 29 HIV and 2 of 27 control. The authors feel that the incidence of aggressive periodontal disease in this study was lower than anticipated. But confounding factors do exist in that these seropositive patients are on a number of medications and most were on antimicrobials for a variety of reasons. [D.H.]
Smith, G., D. Cross, and D. Wray, J Clin Periodont, 22:448,1995