Effect of osteoporosis on periodontal therapy among post-menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: This intervention study aimed to investigate the effect of osteoporosis on periodontal condition among 48 post-menopausal women undergoing periodontal therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experimental group, which underwent non-surgical periodontal therapy, was composed of 16 women with periodontitis to be treated, and the control group was formed by 32 women without periodontitis. Oral condition was assessed on three occasions: at the start of the treatment (first examination), 1 month (first re-examination) and 4 months after the end of the therapy (second re-examination). In the second re-examination, recurrence of periodontal disease was evaluated by comparing the clinical measurements obtained pre- and post-treatment. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was made by investigating densitometry reports obtained previously. Descriptive analysis, analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test were applied to the data gathered, with statistical significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The frequency of periodontitis was 50% in the treated group and 25% in the group without periodontitis. In both groups, this recurrence was greater in subjects with osteoporosis (37.5 and 18.75%, respectively) than in the individuals without osteoporosis (12.5 and 6.25%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results indicate that osteoporosis possibly has an influence on periodontal condition among individuals undergoing non-surgical periodontal treatment.

Periodontal therapy and low birth weight: preliminary results from an alternative methodologic strategy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to present the use of a non-randomized experimental design with multiple controls, with emphasis on a historical control group, as an alternative methodologic resource for studies on the association between periodontal disease and prematurity/low birth weight. METHODS: The sample consisted of 234 pregnant women: 54 in the Test Group (treatment of periodontal disease); 68 in Control Group I (without periodontal disease); and 112 in Control Group II (historical control group, with untreated periodontal disease). The diagnosis of periodontal disease was established by means of a complete clinical examination, using measurements of probing depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding index. The women in the Test Group were treated for periodontitis and followed-up with periodontal support therapy throughout their pregnancies. After delivery, they were reevaluated regarding their periodontal condition, and information on the newborn's birth weight was obtained. This was also done for Control Groups I and II. Descriptive analyses on the study variables were performed using the χ(2) and Fisher exact tests. Association measurements (relative risk) were obtained using a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The frequency of low birth weight among the Test Group was similar to Control Group I and lower than Control Group II. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that successful periodontal therapy in pregnant women suffering from periodontitis is a protective factor promoting the birth of children with normal weight.

Respiratory disease and the role of oral bacteria.

The relationship between oral health and systemic conditions, including the association between poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, and respiratory disease, has been increasingly debated over recent decades. A considerable number of hypotheses have sought to explain the possible role of oral bacteria in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases, and some clinical and epidemiological studies have found results favoring such an association. This review discusses the effect of oral bacteria on respiratory disease, briefly introduces the putative biological mechanisms involved, and the main factors that could contribute to this relationship. It also describes the role of oral care for individuals who are vulnerable to respiratory infections.

Contribution of periodontal disease in pregnant women as a risk factor for low birth weight.

UNLABELLED: Starting in the 1990s, several authors sought to investigate the hypothesis that periodontitis during pregnancy may contribute towards the birth of low-weight children. However, this relationship is still not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this oral infection is associated with this gestational event. METHODS: This was a case-control study among 548 puerperae, of whom 164 were the mothers of low-weight live births (case group) and 384 were the mothers of live births of normal gestational weight (control group). They were selected at two public hospital units in two municipalities in the State of Bahia. From interviews and data gathered using live birth cards or birth certificates, information was obtained regarding age, height, previous diseases, marital status, socioeconomic situation, smoking and alcohol use. Mothers who presented at least four teeth on which one or more sites had a probing depth of greater than or equal to 4 mm, clinical attachment loss of greater than or equal to 3 mm and bleeding on probing, at the same site, were deemed to present periodontal disease. The data were analysed by stratification from logistic regression. RESULTS: Periodontal disease was diagnosed in 42.7% of the case group and 30% of the control group. A statistically significant association was found between periodontal disease and low birth weight (unadjusted OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.19-2.54), particularly among mothers with low schooling levels (adjusted OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.14-4.6). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest an association between periodontal disease and low birth weight among mothers with low education levels.

Fatores associados ao histórico de prática de atividade física em gestantes / Factors associated with a history of practicing physical activity among pregnant women

A necessidade do conhecimento dos fatores externos que podem influenciar na causalidade de eventos deletérios à gestação é de grande relevância, pois podem determinar a morbi-mortalidade infantil. Sabe-se que a prática de atividade física orientada, ao contrário, executada durante a gestação, traz benefícios. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar descritivamente os aspectos sociodemográficos, de saúde, estilo de vida em gestantes com histórico de prática de atividade física (PAF). Um estudo exploratório do tipo corte transversal foi composto por 164 grávidas, divididas em dois grupos: o GRUPO 01, de mulheres com histórico de prática de atividade física, e o GRUPO 02, de mulheres sem histórico de prática de atividade física. Todas responderam a um questionário para coletar dados sociodemográficos e de estilo de vida, além de informações acerca do histórico de prática de atividade física. Inicialmente, foram estimadas as freqüências das variáveis estudadas e então obtidas as medidas de associação (RP e IC 95%) entre o histórico de PAF e as variáveis em questão. Os resultados demonstraram uma precariedade no acesso aos serviços básicos de saúde, renda e escolaridade baixas, e a falta de prática de atividade física regular antes e durante a gestação.

Periodontal status as predictor of prematurity and low birth weight.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to verify the relation between periodontal status and prematurity/low birth weight. METHODS: a case control study of 211 women, 44 being mothers of children born with weight below 2.500g or gestational age of less than 37 weeks (case group) and 177 mothers of children born with weight of over 2.500g or more and gestational age of 37 weeks or more (control group). The women were invited to reply to a questionnaire during the interview. A single dentist performed a complete periodontal exam in the oral cavity of each participant, including: probing depth, recession, plaque index, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment loss measurements. Descriptive analysis of the study variables was performed and the statistical significance was calculated at 5%, using the chi-squared test. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical parameters between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed no association between periodontal status and prematurity/low birth weight.