Article One: Nisha, J., Xavier, L., & Wilma, C. (2013). Is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Stage and Independent Risk Factor for Altering the Periodontal Status of HIV-Positive Patients? A South African Study. BMC Oral Health, 13(69).
Credibility of the Article
The current article is a peer-reviewed article that based on an empirical study that was carried out with the intent of establishing the correlations that exist between HIV and periodontal disease. This article as co-founded by Nisha, John, and Xavier, Stephen. Wilma, Charlene also contributed to the contents contained in the current article. Apart from being a peer reviewed article, the credibility of the current article is further attributed to the fact that it utilized a randomized clinical trial. The use of this design reduced the occurrence of bias; hence, it enhances both the external and internal validity of the article.
Specific Purpose of the Article
The core purpose of Nisha et al., 2013 was to assess whether the stage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an independent factor that alters the periodontal status of patients living with the virus. The credibility of the current article is enhanced by the purpose of the study in that the authors offer a substantive background, which sheds light as to why the researchers focused on this purpose. As such, the background information indicates that HIV predisposes people to microbial infections, which offer a viable platform for the occurrence of periodontal disease. This suffices in the study’s results, which noted that despite the fact that the stage of HIV may not be an independent determinant the periodontal status of HIV patients, certain practices amongst these patients, especially oral hygiene habits, and smoking dictate their susceptibility to periodontal disease. As such, the article offers a substantive overview on how HIV is related to periodontal health.
Sample Group (s)
Nisha et al., 2013 study utilized a sample of one hundred and twenty HIV clients receiving care and treatment at an infectious disease clinic in the Western Cape City of South Africa. The sample group was aged 17-55 years. Purposive sampling was utilized to select the study respondents or participants. Many at times, purposive sampling applies in cases whereby the researcher is looking for respondents with desirable characteristics. In this case, the researchers sought to obtain information from patients who were HIV positive since their study mainly purposed at examining a wider array of factors regarding HIV. The notable similarity of the sample group aligns with the fact that they were all HIV-infected, whereas the notable difference aligns with the fact that their antiretroviral therapy and CD4 cell status were different. The sample groups were made up of males and females who were randomly selected to be involved in the study.
Methodology
As previously connoted herein, Nisha et al., 2013 employed a randomized clinical trial whereby the participants were selected randomly. This strengthened the validity of the research in that this method does not induce bias on the research. On a similar note, the study was approved by the ethical board, and consent sought form the participants, and this also strengthened the research’s credibility.
Results
The results from Nisha et al., 2013 study indicated that HIV stage is not an independent predisposing factor to alterations in the periodontal status of HIV positive clients. The study noted that certain behavioural factors such amongst HIV positive patients, especially oral hygiene practices, and smoking have a profound influence on the periodontal status of HIV positive patients.
Conclusions
Article Two: Vernon, L., Demko, C., Babineau, D., Wang, X., Toossi, Z., Weinberg, A., & Rodriguez, B. (2013). Effect of Nadir CD4+ T Cell Count on Clinical Measures of Periodontal Disease in HIV+ Adults before and During Reconstitution on HAART. PLoS ONE, 8 (10), 1-9.
Credibility of the Article
The current article is a professional journal that was co-founded by researchers drawn from various Universities. However, the core founder of this article is Vernon, Lance. The credibility of Vernon et al., 2013 study is mainly accredited to the study methodology that was employed. The study utilized a longitudinal cohort study, which means that the study was purely observational. This is credible in that observational studies are rarely marred by ethical issues as it is the case in experimental studies. In addition, the fact that the study was done using a longitudinal design means that the researchers were able to observe the sample group over a long time in a prospective way; hence, the research outcomes were substantive.
Specific Purpose of the Article
The core purpose of Vernon et al., 2013 was to assess the contribution of immunological markers of HIV infection to the occurrence of periodontal disease. The main immunological marker that Vernon et al., 2013 sought to assess is Nadir CD4+ T Cell Count, which is a Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy used for treatment of HIV-positive clients. The study purpose correlates with the study outcomes, which indicated that immunological markers of HIV play a role in suppressing the progress of periodontal disease. In fact, Nadir CD4+ T Cell Count as the immunological marker focused on by this study have an influence on periodontal disease in HIV-positive patients regardless of the time when HAART was initiated.
Sample Group (s)
The sample group comprised of 40 HIV-positive patients who were observed for a period on two years. The sample group was selected based on the number of months they were enrolled on HAART. The sample group’s Nadir CD4+ T-cell count also was considered when selecting the sample.
Methodology
As previously mentioned herein, Vernon et al., 2013 study utilized a longitudinal cohort study. This kind of research design is prospective in nature, and it entails observation of the study variable (s) over time. The use of this research design is laudable in that it offers a comprehensive platform in which researchers can conclusively assess, and analyse study variable (s). In this case, the use of longitudinal cohort methodology allowed researchers to assess if indeed Nadir CD4+ T-cells count as an immunological marker has an influence on the occurrence of periodontal disease.
Results
Vernon et al., 2013 study results indicated that Nadir CD4+ T-cells count has a colossal influence in determining the occurrence and progression of periodontal disease amongst HIV-positive adults. In addition, the influence that Nadir CD4+ T-cells count poses on the occurrence of periodontal disease is not influenced by the HAART status of HIV-infected patients.
Conclusion
Article Three: Lemos, S., Oliveira, F., & Vencio, E. (2010). Periodontal Disease and Oral Hygiene Benefits in HIV Seropositive and AID Patients. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal, 15(2), e417-e421.
Credibility of the Article
The current article was founded be Lemos, an academician with the Department of Oral Pathology in the School of Dentistry, in a Brazilian University. The credibility of Lemos et al., 2010 study aligns with the fact that the study utilized patients who consented fully to be involved in the study. Many at times, ethical issues face various studies; hence, reducing their credibility. In a nutshell, ethical standards were adhered to in this study, and this made the study more credible.
Specific Purpose of the Article
The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral hygiene benefits of mechanical therapy in managing periodontal disease amongst HIV seropositive and AIDs clients. The premise of this study is the fact that periodontitis and chronic gingivitis are some of the notable forms of periodontal and gingival disease amongst HIV-positive patients. Previous researches have indicated that there exist no significant relationship in the prevalence of gingival and periodontal disease amongst HIV/AIDs patients. As such, the purpose of this research makes it credible in that it sought to ascertain such notions.
Sample Group (s)
The current study utilized a sample of thirty-two HIV seropositive and AIDS patients aged 30-56 years. The sample differed in that the HIV seropositive ones were at the early stages of AIDS whereas those with AIDs indicated that they were on the later stages of HIV infection. The research participants were purposively selected and requested to be involved in the study. Patients with little interest and compliance were not involved in the study.
Methodology
The research design that Lemos et al., 2010 study used was a cross sectional analytical design whereby the study participants were observed prospectively over a short period. The use of this methodology somewhat limits the validity of this research. Nonetheless, certain aspect integrated with the study enhanced the validity, such as the fact only participants with high compliance with study procedures were involved.
Results
Prior the study, a significant proportion of study sample presented with periodontal disease and gingival. Worth noting is the fact that a significant proportion of the study respondents presented with chronic gingivitis. With the use of mechanical therapy, the sample group periodontal status if the sample group improved significantly. For this purpose, the results demonstrated that mechanical therapy is crucial in the management of periodontal disease.
Conclusion
Based on the results drawn from the current study, a conclusion can be reached that periodontal diseases have an increased incidence and prevalence amongst HIV-positive and AIDS patients. While it is true that the relationship between periodontal disease and HIV remains controversial, there is a need to appreciate the fact that mechanical therapy is crucial in the management of periodontal issues amongst HIV-positive patients.
References
Lemos, S., Oliveira, F., & Vencio, E. (2010). Periodontal Disease and Oral Hygiene Benefits in HIV Seropositive and AID Patients. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal, 15(2), e417- e421.
Nisha, J., Xavier, L., & Wilma, C. (2013). Is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Stage and Independent Risk Factor for Altering the Periodontal Status of HIV-Positive Patients? A South African Study. BMC Oral Health, 13(69).
Vernon, L., Demko, C., Babineau, D., Wang, X., Toossi, Z., Weinberg, A., & Rodriguez, B. (2013). Effect of Nadir CD4+ T Cell Count on Clinical Measures of Periodontal Disease in HIV+ Adults before and During Reconstitution on HAART. PLoS ONE, 8 (10), 1-9.
