Severe periodontitis is more common in HIV- infected patients.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess periodontitis prevalence and severity in HIV infected patients as compared to controls. Furthermore, to assess whether HIV infection characteristics are associated with periodontitis.

DESIGN:

cross-sectional controlled study.

METHODS:

We assessed prevalence and severity of periodontitis in 258 HIV-infected patients and 539 historical controls with the Dutch Periodontal Screening Index (DPSI). HIV characteristics were collected from medical charts. Age-related diseases and oral care were assessed with questionnaires.

RESULTS:

Severe periodontitis (DPSI 4) was more prevalent in HIV-infected patients than in controls (66% vs. 36%, p = 0.002). HIV-infection, increasing age and male sex were significant risk factors for severe periodontitis. In particular, older male HIV patients have a higher risk of severe periodontitis. Clinical, immunological and virologic characteristics, and antiretroviral therapy were not associated with periodontitis prevalence or severity. HIV-infected patients rate the importance of their oral health as high, although many do not disclose their HIV infection to their dentists.

CONCLUSIONS:

Prevalence and severity of periodontitis are higher in HIV-infected patients compared to controls, particularly in older males. Awareness of the increased prevalence of periodontitis associated with HIV-infection among patients and health-care professionals could significantly improve oral health and quality of life of HIV-infected patients.

• Authors: Hester Groenewegen, Wouter F W Bierman, Konstantina Delli, Pieter U Dijkstra, Willem Nesse, Arjan Vissink, Frederik K L Spijkervet
• Journal: The Journal of infection (J Infect) Vol. 78 Issue 3 Pg. 171-177 (03 2019) ISSN: 1532-2742 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30528870 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• Case-Control Studies
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• HIV Infections (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Netherlands (epidemiology)
• Periodontitis (epidemiology, virology)
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors
• Sex Factors
• Young Adult