A controlled study of relative periodontal attachment loss in people with HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the progression of periodontal destruction in people with and without HIV.


METHODS
Relative attachment loss on 6 index teeth was compared between 19 people with HIV and 17 people without HIV infection over 12 and 18 month follow ups.


RESULTS
The proportions of sites with 1, 2 or 3 mm of relative attachment loss were similar in the study and control groups. Mean maximum relative attachment loss was similar in both groups after 12 months but greater in the study group after 18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The data are not compelling evidence of greater periodontal destruction associated with HIV infection. Large scale cohort studies or meta-analyses would be more conclusive.
Robinson
P G
PG
Guy's, King's and St. Thomas's Dental Institute, King's College London.
Boulter
A
A
Birnbaum
W
W
Johnson
N W
NW
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000145:classification; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification*