Periodontal status of HIV-infected patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy compared to HIV-therapy naive patients: a case control study

The study population comprised 80 patients infected with HIV divided into two groups. The first group was receiving antiretroviral therapy while the second group was therapy naive. The following parameters were examined: probing pocket depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment level, papilla bleeding score, periodontal screening index and the index for decayed, missed and filled teeth. A questionnaire concerning oral hygiene, dental care and smoking habits was filled out by the patients.There were no significant differences regarding the periodontal parameters between the groups except in the clinical marker for inflammation, the papilla bleeding score, which was twice as high (P < 0.0001) in the antiretroviral untreated group (0.58 ± 0.40 versus 1.02 ± 0.59). The participants of this investigation generally showed a prevalence of periodontitis comparable to that in healthy subjects. The results of the questionnaire were comparable between the two groups.There is no indication for advanced periodontal damage in HIV-infected versus non-infected patients in comparable age groups. Due to their immunodeficiency, HIV-infected patients should be monitored closely to prevent irreversible periodontal damage. Periodontal monitoring and early therapy is recommended independent of an indication for highly active antiretroviral therapy.The therapy of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dates back to 1986, when the monotherapy, azidothymidine, was introduced. At that time, oral manifestations of the immune deficiency syndrome were used, alongside other diagnostic parameters, as markers for disease progression. Thus, oral candidiasis correlated with a progressive immune deficiency, resulting in Candida esophagitis, defines the progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS; Center for Disease Control Classification System; Category C).In 1983, 13 years after detection of the virus, an effective long-term therapy was established by combining