COMPARISON OF PERIODONTAL-DISEASE IN HIV-SEROPOSITIVE SUBJECTS AND CONTROLS .1. CLINICAL-FEATURES

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases in HIV seropositive and assumed HIV seronegat ive individuals in the Edinburgh area. 29 HIV seropositive subjects we re examined at baseline and at 3-monthly intervals. Attachment loss an d dichotomous indicators of periodontal disease were recorded. 27 cont rol subjects were seen at baseline only. Although there was no signifi cant difference between the 2 groups in terms of mean attachment loss at baseline, HIV seropositive subjects had experienced more severe att achment loss localised to the lower incisor region. HIV seropositive s ubjects had a significantly higher mean % of sites exhibiting suppurat ion and redness. A distinct subgroup of 9 HIV seropositive subjects wi th widespread attachment loss was detected, which included those subje cts with severely affected lower incisors. Site-specific attachment lo ss of greater than or equal to 3 mm was observed in only 20 sites out of 2814 sites in HIV+subjects observed longitudinally. The incidence o f aggressive periodontal disease in this study was lower than anticipa ted, despite the inclusion of patients with advanced HIV infection or AIDS.