High prevalence of periodontitis in blood donors and the possibility of questionnaire-based screening - results of a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of high prevalence and, thus, of potential relevance to the management of blood donation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess periodontal health and its associations to common blood parameters, as well as questionnaire-based periodontitis screening in blood donors. METHODS: Generally healthy blood donors were recruited and underwent oral examination. Thereby, the decayed-, missing- and filled-teeth index (DMF-T) and periodontal status, including periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment loss, were assessed. Based on periodontal status, periodontitis severity was classified into no/mild, moderate or severe. Six yes/no questions regarding periodontal complaints and history were asked. Furthermore, common blood parameters were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 148 participants (mean age 53·33 years) were included. The DMF-T was 15·28 ± 6·44. Nearly three quarters of participants suffered from a periodontitis (moderate 59·5% and severe 14·8%, total periodontitis 74·3%). Periodontitis severity was associated with the history of dental visits caused by periodontal complaints (P < 0·01) and previous periodontal therapy (P < 0·01). Only procalcitonin was initially found to be associated with blood periodontitis severity (P = 0·02). This observation was not confirmed by post-hoc testing between subgroups (Pi > 0·2). No further association between periodontitis severity and blood parameters was found (Pi > 0·05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of periodontitis in German blood donors is high. However, further studies with sensitive testing of bacteria in peripheral blood are required in order to determine the relevance of this result for the safety of blood components.