Men with HIV have increased alveolar bone loss.

Area of Science:

• Oral health research
• HIV medicine
• Periodontology

Background:

• Periodontal health in men with HIV is understudied.
• HIV infection is associated with gingival pocketing, attachment loss, and inflammation.
• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to aging-related comorbidities like periodontitis in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess alveolar bone height in men with and without HIV.
• To analyze gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) cytokines.
• To evaluate periodontal disease activity in relation to HIV status.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 93 men (50 HIV+, 43 HIV-) aged 35-70 years.
• Conducted periodontal examinations, GCF collection, and intraoral radiography.
• Utilized t-tests and chi-squared tests for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Men with HIV had significantly greater alveolar bone loss (3.41 mm) compared to men without HIV (2.64 mm).
• No significant differences were found in bleeding on probing, clinical attachment loss, or pocket depths.
• Elevated IL6 levels may mediate increased bone loss in HIV-positive individuals.

Conclusions:

• Men living with HIV exhibit increased alveolar bone loss.
• Elevated IL6 levels may play a role in the observed bone loss.
• Comprehensive oral health management is crucial for PLWH, requiring further research into HIV, cytokines, and periodontal health mechanisms.