title: Dental health in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A study of 94 cases.
abstract: The dental health of 94 HIV-positive patients was investigated by the sum of carious, missing and filling teeth (DMF index), plaque (Silness and Löe) and bleeding point indices (Lenox and Kopczyk). Blood parameters were evaluated, including total lymphocytes, CD4+ lymphocytes, beta-2-microglobulin, platelets, the Quick index, and immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA). Patient oral parameters were contrasted with risk group (intravenous drug users homo- and heterosexuals) and controls. An evaluation was also made of differences in dental condition as a function of CD4+ cell number, according to the latest CDC classification (1992). HIV-positive intravenous drug users were found to present poorer DMF, plaque and bleeding point indices than the rest of the patients. No relationship was observed between CD4+ cell numbers in blood and dental condition, thus suggesting that the deteriorated dental health observed is a consequence of factors inherent to the risk groups involved rather than of the altered blood parameters.
authors.affiliation: Valencia University, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Güarinos
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Bagán
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martínez-Canut
mesh_terms: D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004245:DMF Index; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012307:Risk Factors; D019529:Sexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000276:immunology