Few reported studies have evaluated the periodontal status of individuals infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The majority of these reports have evaluated the periodontal status of individuals presenting to dental care facilities due to oral problems. These reports suggest that severe gingival inflammation and attachment loss are often associated with HIV seropositive patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the periodontal status of HIV seropositive patients without biasing the data towards those presenting to dentists with oral problems. Sixty-three consenting male patients presenting to the infectious disease clinic at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals were examined to determine the status of their periodontal health. Gingival index, plaque index, pocket depths, and attachment loss were determined using standard indices. Participants were first grouped according to the modified CDC Classification System for HIV infection and then categorized according to HIV risk factors for purposes of statistical analysis. No significant differences could be found in the gingival or periodontal status of subjects who were HIV seropositive versus those with AIDS. Periodontal status was also not significantly different for individuals based upon risk group. Periodontal health of the participants was similar to the general population (HIV status unknown). This would indicate that, although HIV gingivitis and HIV periodontitis have been documented in a number of HIV-infected patients, the frequency of affected individuals is less than previous reports would suggest.

Metabolic complications such as HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome are common in patients with HIV-1 infection who are taking highly active antiretroviral therapy. HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome is characterized by dyslipidemia, fat redistribution, and altered glucose metabolism; however, there has been little study of relationships between these risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and lifestyle risks. The aims of this study were to (a) describe the physical activity levels, nutrition habits, and smoking behaviors of persons with HIV-1 infection; (b) describe their CHD risks and estimate 10-year risk for CHD outcomes; and (c) examine the relationship between potentially modifiable lifestyle behaviors and risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in persons with HIV-1 infection receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Variables included lipid profile and other metabolic indices, body fat distribution, body mass index, blood pressure, and lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, dietary habits, smoking). A cross-sectional design and convenience sampling (n = 95) was used. Participants had multiple modifiable risk factors: 20% had a 10-year risk of 10% or higher of developing CHD. Results underscore the need for health promotion interventions to target lifestyle risks in persons with HIV-1 infection taking highly active retroviral therapy.

HIV-related symptomatology represents both an indirect measure of immune functioning and a clinically significant indicator of disease progression. The most widely used classification system for HIV-related symptomatology is the Center for Disease Control (CDC) system. Although the CDC scale has widely recognized clinical utility, it provides only nominal-level measurement, which may be problematic for both clinicians and researchers. This article describes the revision and validation of the HIV Center Medical Staging Scale (rHCMSS), and ordinal-level physical illness scale that provides a means of independently measuring the progression of HIV-disease symptomatology and immunological decline. Concurrent use of the rHCMSS, the CDC classification system, and T-lymphocyte and viral load data will provide a more comprehensive indication of HIV-disease progression for clinical and research purposes.

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