Comparison of periodontal disease in HIV seropositive subjects and controls (I). Clinical features.

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases in HIV seropositive and assumed HIV seronegative individuals in the Edinburgh area. 29 HIV seropositive subjects were examined at baseline and at 3-monthly intervals. Attachment loss and dichotomous indicators of periodontal disease were recorded. 27 control subjects were seen at baseline only. Although there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of mean attachment loss at baseline, HIV seropositive subjects had experienced more severe attachment loss localised to the lower incisor region. HIV seropositive subjects had a significantly higher mean % of sites exhibiting suppuration and redness. A distinct subgroup of 9 HIV seropositive subjects with widespread attachment loss was detected, which included those subjects with severely affected lower incisors. Site-specific attachment loss of > or = 3 mm was observed in only 20 sites out of 2814 sites in HIV+subjects observed longitudinally. The incidence of aggressive periodontal disease in this study was lower than anticipated, despite the inclusion of patients with advanced HIV infection or AIDS.