Abstract

AHMED, M; KIMMIE-DHANSAY, F  and  JEFTHA, Anthea. An epidemiological analysis of patients diagnosed with periodontitis at a tertiary institution. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2022, vol.77, n.9, pp.551-558. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2022/v77no9a4.

INTRODUCTION: An analysis of the epidemiological factors associated with the diagnosis of periodontitis is important baseline evidence for the study of this disease within our population. This evidence will be valuable baseline information to inform intervention protocols that are contextual to our society. There is a scarcity of studies on periodontitis in South Africans. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of periodontitis patients diagnosed between 2014-2019 at a tertiary institution in SA. Design. A retrospective records-based study was conducted. METHODS: Data from 450 patients diagnosed with periodontitis were extracted. Data sets including age, sex, smoking, presence of diabetes, and other systemic diseases were analysed. Periodontal parameters such as plaque score, plaque index, gingival bleeding score, gingival index, number of missing teeth, probing depths, and clinical attachment loss were included for analysis. RESULTS: Males had higher bleeding index (p=0.035), deeper pockets (p=0.003), and more attachment loss (p<0.001), compared to females. Deeper periodontal pockets were observed in patients with systemic diseases (p=0.018). Smokers had a lower bleeding percentage (p=0.039). There was a higher plaque percentage (p=0.031), and bleeding index (p=0.043), deeper pockets (p<0.001) and more attachment loss (p<0.001) in patients with diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Worse periodontal status was observed in males, and patients with diabetes or other general diseases. Additional research is required to elucidate the role of sex and systemic conditions as predisposing factors to periodontitis.

Keywords : Epidemiology periodontitis; Adult periodontitis; Periodontal attachment loss; Prevalence periodontitis; Risk factors periodontitis; Smoking periodontitis; Diabetes periodontitis; Sex periodontitis; Systemic disease periodontitis; Hypertension periodontitis.

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