Severe Periodontitis is more common in HIV-infected patients (March 2019).
Groenewegen H, Bierman WFW, Delli K, Dijkstra PU, Nesse W, Vissink A, Spijkervet FKL. Severe periodontitis is more common in HIV- infected patients. J Infect. 2019 Mar;78(3):171-177.
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.