Baltimore oral epidemiology, disease effects, and HIV evaluation study (BEEHIVE) study protocol: a prospective cohort...

Area of Science:

• Oral health research
• Infectious disease epidemiology
• Public health

Background:

• Antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition.
• People living with HIV (PLWH) exhibit increased risks for age-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and specific oral diseases.
• PLWH with a history of injection drug use face a disproportionately higher disease burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the combined impact of HIV infection and NCDs on oral health status.
• To investigate HIV's influence on oral healthcare access, utilization, and self-reported/clinical oral health.
• To examine HIV's role in periodontitis progression and its associated oral microbiome.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study design with baseline and 24-month follow-up.
• Data collection via questionnaires, clinical examinations, and oral microbiological sample analysis.
• Utilizes participants from the established AIDS Linked to the Intravenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort.

Main Results:

• Data collection ongoing; results pending.
• Analysis will focus on oral health disparities in PLWH.
• Microbiome analysis aims to identify oral disease drivers.

Conclusions:

• Study findings will inform clinical and preventive interventions for PLWH.
• Aims to reduce oral health inequities experienced by PLWH.
• Knowledge gained will support integration into medical and dental practices.