Periodontitis in individuals with few remaining teeth and a high gingival bleeding index increases the probability of dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia, a silent multifactorial condition, is characterized by changes in blood lipid levels, affecting all socioeconomic strata, increasing the risk for atherosclerotic diseases. This study investigated whether there is an association between dyslipidemia and the combined exposure of periodontitis plus the number of remaining teeth, gingival bleeding, or caries. METHODS: A two-center cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1270 individuals, with a minimum age of 18 years. Socioeconomic and demographic data, health conditions, lifestyle parameters, and anthropometric, biochemical, and oral clinical examinations were performed. The exposures considered were the presence of periodontitis, dental caries, number of remaining teeth, and gingival bleeding. The outcome was dyslipidemia as defined by the Brazilian Guidelines on Dyslipidemia and Prevention of Atherosclerosis. The combined associations between periodontitis plus other oral health conditions and dyslipidemia were estimated using confounder-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRsingle , PRmultiple , for single and multiple covariable adjustments) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), in a Poisson regression model with robust variance. RESULTS: The occurrence of dyslipidemia was 70.1% and periodontitis was 84.1%. A positive association between periodontitis and dyslipidemia existed: PRsingle  = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.01-1.26. Combined exposure of periodontitis plus <11 remaining teeth (PRmultiple  = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.05-1.43), as well as combined exposure of periodontitis plus ≥10% gingival bleeding and <11 remaining teeth (PRmultiple  = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03-1.44), represented greater probabilities of 23% and 22% of individuals having a diagnosis of dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: Periodontitis combined with fewer than 11 teeth doubled the likelihood of being diagnosed with dyslipidemia.

Periodontitis severity relationship with metabolic syndrome: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between periodontitis severity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) through systematic review, registered in PROSPERO: CRD42021232120. Selected articles were independently chosen by three reviewers from six databases, including using article reference lists, up until March 2022. Eligible studies were observational, without language limitation, and in subjects aged at least 18 years. The methodological quality of selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random effects models calculated summary measurements (odds ratio-OR, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI). The I2 test evaluated the statistical heterogeneity of the data. Sensitivity, subgroup, and meta-regression analyses were performed. For the reliability of evidence, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations tool was used. A total of 2133 records were identified, and 14 studies were included comprising 24,567 participants. The summary odds ratio showed a positive association between individuals with moderate (ORadjusted  = 1.26; 95%CI = 2.10-5.37; I2  = 45.85%), and severe periodontitis (ORadjusted  = 1.50; 95%CI:1.28-1.71; I2  = 56.46%), and MetS. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses showed that study effect size was influenced by year of publication, study design, and MetS diagnostic criteria, contributing to inter-study variability. The findings showed that moderate and severe levels of periodontitis are associated with MetS, suggesting a possible dose-response effect.

Obesity in young women is positively associated with periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the association between excess body weight and periodontitis in adults, stratified by sex and age, and using different criteria for obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Enrolled in the study were 345 individuals with a minimum age of 18 years who had attended the Public Health Service in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. All individuals underwent a complete periodontal examination and anthropometric measurements and answered a questionnaire regarding their socioeconomic, demographic, health, and lifestyle conditions. Excess body weight (exposure factor) was defined using body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were obtained by Poisson regression analysis with robust variance. RESULTS: Periodontitis was found in 74.2% of study participants, with the disease being more prevalent among those individuals with increased WC. The occurrence of overweight was 44.4% and that of obesity ranged from 29.9 to 70.8%, dependent upon the specific definition of obesity that was used. There was a positive association between obesity (WC > 88 cm) and periodontitis only among women, after adjustment for age, smoking habit, education level, diabetes, and family income (PRadjusted: 1.20; 95%CI: [1.01-1.44]). The magnitude of this positive association was higher among women aged 18 to 49 years when the outcome was severe periodontitis, and the exposure was obesity defined by WC. CONCLUSIONS: The findings draw attention to the high frequency of the diseases investigated: overweight, obesity and periodontitis. Moreover, obesity was positively associated with periodontitis in women and younger individuals, demonstrating that among those with obesity, there is a higher probability of having periodontitis. The smaller number study of men in the may have influenced the non-statistically significant association found in that group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Obese females and younger people are more likely to also have periodontitis. Periodontal evaluation and clinical management of individuals with obesity is recommended.

Periodontitis is a factor associated with dyslipidemia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the severity of periodontitis (exposure) and dyslipidemia (outcome). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of users of public health services. Periodontitis was defined using the Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the American Academy of Periodontology criteria. Lipid evaluation used data on systemic biomarkers. Dyslipidemia diagnosis was based on the Guidelines of total cardiovascular risk of the World Health Organization. Weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured, and socioeconomic-demographic, lifestyle behavior factors, general and oral health conditions of the participants were collected. Hierarchical and logistic regression analyzes were used to determine the association between the exposures and the outcome. Odds Ratios, unadjusted and adjusted, and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. RESULTS: Of 1,011 individuals examined, 75.17% had dyslipidemia, and 84.17% had periodontitis, 0.2% with mild, 48.56% moderate, and 35.41% severe disease. The association between periodontitis and dyslipidemia was maintained through hierarchical analysis and in the multiple regression modeling, showing that the occurrences of dyslipidemia in the group with periodontitis, and its moderate and severe levels, were, respectively, 14%, 30%, and 16% higher compared with those without periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed a positive association between moderate and severe periodontitis and dyslipidemia.

Mothers' high glycemic levels and the association between periodontitis and low birth weight.

BACKGROUND: Maternal hyperglycemia, periodontitis, and adverse gestational outcomes are important health problems. The present study investigated the hypothesis that periodontitis and the glycemic level of mothers may have opposing influences on birth weight (BW). This study evaluated the effect of high glycemic levels, albeit within the normal range, on the association between periodontitis and low birth weight (LBW). METHODS: A total of 732 women took part in this case-control study; 172 were mothers of children with LBW <2,500 g, and 560 were mothers of children with BW ≥2,500 g. The BW of newborns was obtained from medical records, and information on socioeconomic-demographic, lifestyle behavior were obtained through interviews. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated, and full-mouth periodontal examination was carried out within 7 days postpartum. Hierarchical and logistic regression analysis evaluated the effect of glycemic levels on the association between periodontitis and LBW by subgroups, estimating odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: In the group with HbA1c levels <5.6%, a statistically significant relationship existed between periodontitis and LBW. Using the Centre for Disease Control/American Academy of Periodontics criteria, the ORadjusted was 1.55; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.31; using the Gomes-Filho et al. criteria the ORadjusted was 1.91; 95% CI, 1.06 to 3.45. In the group with higher HbA1c levels but still within the normal range (≥5.6% and <6.5%), the findings showed no association between periodontitis and LBW. CONCLUSION: Higher maternal glycemic levels within the normal range, inferior to those indicative of gestational diabetes, diabetes mellitus, or hyperglycemia, and periodontitis have opposing effects on BW, altering the association magnitude.

Obesity and periodontitis are not associated in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate an association between obesity (exposure) and periodontitis (outcome) in pregnant women. BACKGROUND: This association was investigated and only five studies were identified as showing a positive association. However, some of these studies had limitations such as reduced sample sizes, inadequate exposure criteria and outcome measures, which question the internal validity of these investigations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 644 pregnant women of the public health service of the municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. Data were obtained by collecting of socioeconomic-demographic information, health behavior, health conditions, and reproductive history through an interview. Obesity was evaluated using body mass index adjusted for gestational age and expected weight gain. The diagnosis of periodontitis followed two criteria: (a) Center for Disease Prevention and Control and American Academy of Periodontology (CDC/AAP); (b) Gomes-Filho et al (2018) using criterion that also evaluated bleeding upon probing; Prevalence ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals were obtained by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: In accordance with the outcome diagnostic criterion, the frequency of periodontitis was 17.24% (Gomes-Filho et al) and 66.92% (CDC/AAP). The participants were classified as low weight (19.72%), adequate weight (42.39%), overweight (24.84%), and obesity (13.04%), based on the exposure diagnostic criterion. The low weight and overweight groups were excluded from the data analysis, giving a final sample of 357 pregnant women. The association between obesity in pregnant women and periodontitis was not statistically significant, after adjusting for confounders such as age, schooling level, alcoholic beverage consumption, alimentary and nutritional orientation, urinary infection, and dental flossing. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed a high frequency of periodontitis, obesity, and overweight in the studied population but no association between obesity and periodontitis in pregnant women was found.

Periodontitis and respiratory diseases: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the recent scientific literature addressing the association between periodontitis and asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search for studies was carried out using MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Lilacs, Web of Science, Scopus, and SciELO databases, including the gray literature (ProQuest). Reference lists of selected articles were also searched. Studies having varying epidemiological designs assessing the association between periodontitis and respiratory diseases in human subjects were eligible for inclusion. Three independent reviewers performed the selection of articles and data extraction. Fixed and random effects meta-analysis were performed for the calculation of the association measurements (Odds Ratio-OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: A total of 3,234 records were identified in the database search, with only 13 studies meeting the eligibility criteria and 10 studies contributed data for meta-analysis. Using a random effects models periodontitis was associated with asthma: ORadjusted: 3.54 (95% CI: 2.47-5.07), I2  = 0%; with COPD: OR adjusted: 1.78 (95% CI: 1.04-3.05), I2  = 37.9%; and with pneumonia: OR adjusted: 3.21 (95% CI: 1.997-5.17), I2  = 0%. CONCLUSIONS: The main findings of this systematic review validated an association between periodontitis and asthma, COPD and pneumonia.

Exclusive breast-feeding is associated with reduced pacifier sucking in children: Breast-feeding and pacifier-sucking habit.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that when children do not achieve the emotional satiety and adequate stimulus provided by breast-feeding, they exhibit sucking behaviors. This study aimed to estimate the association from 4 through 6 months of exclusive breast-feeding (EB) postpartum and pacifier-sucking behavior at 12 months of life. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted with 1,037 infants, born alive and monitored up to 12 months. At 4 and 6 months after birth, the children were classified according to the type of breast-feeding they had received: exclusive, predominant, complementary, or none. The prevalence of pacifier-sucking behavior was calculated, and the association between the 2 events was estimated. Mothers' socioeconomic-demographic characteristics, delivery features, and prenatal care, as well as the biological characteristics of the children, were determined. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS: In comparison with EB infants, the RR of pacifier-sucking behavior at 12 months of life was higher in children receiving complementary breast-feeding or no breast-feeding for both 4 months (RRadjusted, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.39 to 2.02] and RRadjusted, 2.67 [95% CI, 2.24 to 3.17], respectively) and 6 months (RRadjusted, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.03 to 2.00] and RRadjusted, 3.30 [95% CI, 2.40 to 4.54], respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: EB for 6 months postpartum is associated with reduced pacifier-sucking behavior, adjusted for maternal color, number of prenatal consultations, and family income. Promotion of EB may reduce the use of pacifiers and their potential deleterious effects on oral health. Dental health care professionals should consider discussing the importance of breast-feeding with their patients with regard to the possible development of sucking habits in their children.

Oral health status of pregnant and puerperal women in the municipality of Feira de Santana, at three different times between 2005 and 2015. / Condição bucal de gestantes e puérperas no município de Feira de Santana, em três diferentes períodos entre os anos de 2005 e 2015.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the oral health condition of pregnant/postpartum women attending public services in the city of Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil, at three different times between 2005 and 2015. METHODS: this is a study socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, health condition and health care, lifestyle and oral health status of 1,245 participants obtained from a database of three previous investigations: I Intervention Study (2005-2007); II Case-Control Study (2010-2011); III Case-Control Study (2012-2015). RESULTS: comparing the three periods, the frequency of gingivitis (24.41% versus 8.90% versus 5.77%; p<0.01) and periodontitis (44.64% vs 9.16% vs 11.55%; p<0.01) was found to decrease; the worst dental conditions regarding the number of teeth present, healthy and extracted and the DMFT index were found in period III compared to period II. CONCLUSION: an improvement was seen in the participants' periodontal condition over time, which coincides with the implementation of policies pertaining to women's health, oral health and income redistribution in this city.

The impact of caries in combination with periodontitis on oral health-related quality of life in Bahia, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Both dental caries and periodontal disease, as isolated conditions, can generate limitations and disabilities with negative repercussions on the individual's quality of life, but the combination of both oral diseases has not been investigated yet. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the combined exposure to dental caries and periodontitis and the impact on oral health-related quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 306 individuals seen in the public health services in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. The individuals were divided into three groups: individuals without caries and periodontitis (n = 60), those with caries or periodontitis separately (n = 155), and those with both caries and periodontitis (n = 91). Information regarding sociodemographic, health conditions, behavioral aspects, and health-care characteristics were obtained through structured questionnaires. Oral clinical examination was performed to evaluate dental caries (decayed, missing, and filled teeth DMFT) and periodontal status including bleeding on probing, visible plaque index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level. The impact of oral health on quality of life was measured using the Brazilian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). RESULTS: In terms of the OHIP-14, the mean ±SD and median of the severity scores were 11.07 ±9.45 and 9, respectively, and mean ±SD of the extension score: 1.78 ±2.27. The adjusted association measurement showed that in individuals exposed simultaneously to caries and periodontitis, the occurrence of the impact on quality of life was 63% greater than among those without these diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the combined occurrence of dental caries and periodontitis is associated with a significant impact on oral health-related quality of life when compared with absence of these oral diseases.

Impacto da perda dentária na qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde bucal de adultos / Impact of tooth loss on oral health-related quality of life of adults

Introdução: a perda dentária parece impor alterações físicas, biológicas e psíquicas que podem impactar negativamente na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos. Objetivo: avaliar a associação entre perda dentária e a percepção do seu impacto negativo na qualidade de vida. Metodologia: estudo transversal, conduzido com 306 adultos, atendidos em serviços públicos de saúde, em Feira de SantanaBa. O impacto na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal foi mensurado pelo OHIP-14. Foi realizado exame bucal e aplicado questionário estruturado para obter informações relacionadas às características socioeconômicas, demográficas, de estilo de vida e condições de saúde geral e bucal. Foi empregado o Teste qui-quadrado e estimadas as Razões de prevalência e intervalos de confiança a 95% (IC95%). Resultados: dentre as dimensões do OHIP-14, a perda dentária (≥7 dentes) foi estatisticamente associada com a dimensão "incapacidade física" (RP: 1,50; IC95%: 1,18-1,90, p=0,003). Conclusão: houve associação entre alta perda dentária e impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida, expressa pela incapacidade física.

Introduction: tooth loss seems to impose physical, biological and psychological alterations which could impact negatively on quality of life of individuals. Objective: was to evaluate an association between tooth loss and oral health-related quality of life. This crosssectional study examined a sample of 306 adults, attended at public health services, in Feira de Santana-Ba. Metodology: the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was used to capture the impact on their quality of life. Oral examination was performed and a structured questionnaire was applied to obtain more information related to socioeconomic and demographic variables, lifestyle one and general and oral health conditions. The chi-square test was used and the prevalence ratios (PR) and confidence intervals at 95% (IC95%) were estimated. Results: among the specific dimensions of the OHIP-14, tooth loss (≥7 teeth) was statistically associated with the dimension "physical disability" (RP: 1.50; IC95%: 1.18-1.90, p=0.003). Conclusion: there was association between high tooth loss and oral health-related quality of life, expressed by physical disability

Association between periodontitis and severe asthma in adults: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between periodontitis and severe asthma, with participants in treatment for severe asthma, controlled by therapy. METHODS: A case-control investigation was performed to compare 130 adults with severe asthma with 130 without asthma. Individuals with periodontitis were those with ≥4 teeth with ≥1 site with probing depth ≥4 mm, clinical attachment level ≥3 mm, and bleeding upon probing at the same site. Severe asthma diagnosis was based on Global Initiative for Asthma criteria. RESULTS: Association between exposure to periodontitis and severe asthma was found: ORcrude  = 2.98 (95% CI: 1.74-5.11). When confounders were considered, the association between exposure to periodontitis and severe asthma was maintained: ORadjusted  = 3.01-3.25. Individuals with periodontitis had about a threefold increased risk of severe asthma than those without periodontitis. Frequency of periodontitis in participants with severe asthma was greater than that of those without asthma (46.6% vs 22.3%, p ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS: Association between periodontitis and severe asthma was observed. Further investigation is required to determine the direction of this relationship. It may be causal, but it may also be a consequence of the immunopathological process that characterizes asthma, or else, consequence of the medication used for treatment.

Factors associated with dental caries, periodontitis and intra-oral lesions in individuals with HIV / AIDS.

This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with oral diseases in individuals with HIV/AIDS. A cross sectional study was carried out which included 312 individuals registered in the Specialized Care Services for HIV/AIDS in three municipalities of the State of Bahia: Feira de Santana, Santo Antonio de Jesus and Juazeiro, Brazil. Socioeconomic-demographic characteristics related to life style and to dental caries, periodontitis and intra-oral mucosal lesions were investigated in patients with HIV/AIDS infection. Prevalence Ratio with 95% Confidence Interval and significance level of 5% were employed for the statistical analysis. The majority of the individuals evaluated were male with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 41.5 ± 11.3 years, and a mean time of HIV infection diagnosis (± standard deviation) of 5.2 ± 4.4 years. The presence of dental caries was observed in 78.7% of the sample, periodontitis in 25.4% and 36.2% showed intra-oral lesions. Oral health status showed a statistically significant association with the following variables: gender, age, schooling level, current occupation, family income, past and current smoking, antiretroviral use time, latest viral burden dosage, latest CD4-positive T lymphocyte count, use of complete/partial dental prosthesis, need for dental prosthesis, and use of dental floss. With the exception of those factors directly related to HIV/AIDS i.e., antiretroviral use time, latest viral burden dosage and latest CD4-positive T lymphocyte count, the factors associated with oral diseases in this population were the same as those associated with oral diseases in the non-HIV/AIDS population.

Condição bucal de gestantes e puérperas no município de Feira de Santana, em três diferentes períodos entre os anos de 2005 e 2015 / Condición bucal de gestantes y puérperas en el municipio de Feira de Santana, en tres diferentes momentos entre los años 2005 y 2015 / Oral health status of pregnant and puerperal women in the municipality of Feira de Santana, at three different times between 2005 and 2015

Objetivo: avaliar a condição bucal de gestantes e puérperas, usuárias de serviços públicos de saúde de Feira de Santana, BA, Brasil, em três momentos distintos do período 2005-2015. Métodos: estudo sobre características socioeconômico-demográficas, condição e cuidado com a saúde, estilo de vida e condição bucal de 1.245 participantes, obtidas de banco de dados de três investigações - I Estudo de intervenção (2005-2007), II Estudo caso-controle (2010-2011), III Estudo caso-controle (2012-2015). Resultados: comparando-se os três períodos, as frequências de gengivite (24,41% versus 8,90% versus 5,77%; p<0,01) e periodontite (44,64% vs 9,16% vs 11,55%; p<0,01) diminuíram; relativamente à condição dentária, as piores situações no número de dentes presentes, hígidos, extraídos e índice CPO-D observaram-se no período III, comparativamente ao período II. Conclusão: a condição periodontal melhorou nos anos estudados, coincidentemente com o processo de implantação de políticas de assistência pré-natal, saúde da mulher e saúde bucal, e de redistribuição de renda no município.

Objetivo: evaluar la condición bucal de gestantes y puérperas, usuarias de servicios públicos de salud de la ciudad de Feira de Santana/BA, en tres momentos distintos comprendidos entre 2005 y 2015. Metodos: se trata de un estudio con información sobre características socioeconómicas-demográficas, de condición y cuidado com la salud, de estilo de vida y de condición bucal de 1245 participantes obtenidas en un banco de datos de tres investigaciones previas: I (2005-2007), II (2010-2011), III (2012-2015). Resultados: tanto la frecuencia de gingivitis (24,41% versus 8,90% versus 5,77%; p<0,01) y periodontitis (44,64% vs 9,16% vs 11,55%; p<0,01) disminuyó; em relación a la condición dental, las peores situaciones en cuanto al número de dientes presentes, hígidos, extraídos y el índice CPO-D se observaron en el período III, en comparación con las del período II. Conclusión: se há mejorado la condición periodontal a lo largo de los años, período que coincide com el proceso de implantación de políticas de salud de la mujer, salud bucal, así como redistribución de ingresos en el municipio.

Objective: to evaluate the oral health condition of pregnant/postpartum women attending public services in the city of Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil, at three different times between 2005 and 2015. Methods: this is a study socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, health condition and health care, lifestyle and oral health status of 1,245 participants obtained from a database of three previous investigations: I Intervention Study (2005-2007); II Case-Control Study (2010-2011); III Case-Control Study (2012-2015). Results: comparing the three periods, the frequency of gingivitis (24.41% versus 8.90% versus 5.77%; p<0.01) and periodontitis (44.64% vs 9.16% vs 11.55%; p<0.01) was found to decrease; the worst dental conditions regarding the number of teeth present, healthy and extracted and the DMFT index were found in period III compared to period II. Conclusion: an improvement was seen in the participants' periodontal condition over time, which coincides with the implementation of policies pertaining to women's health, oral health and income redistribution in this city.

Can periodontal infection induce genotoxic effects?

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities, through micronuclei, and apoptosis by the sum of karyorrhexis, pyknosis and condensed chromatin in individuals with chronic periodontitis, gingivitis associated with biofilm and no periodontal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 72 individuals divided into three groups: gingivitis (n = 21), periodontitis (n = 24) and control (n = 27). Information on sociodemographic characteristics, health and lifestyle was obtained. Full mouth clinical examination was performed to define the periodontal condition. Exfoliated cells from gingival mucosa were collected for computation of micronuclei and nuclear changes indicative of apoptosis. The differences in the occurrence of endpoints (micronucleus, karyorrhexis, pyknosis and condensed chromatin) were evaluated using the conditional test to compare proportions in a rare events situation. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of micronucleus (p > 0.1) between gingivitis, periodontitis and control groups. The occurrence of apoptosis was significantly higher among individuals with periodontitis compared to individuals with gingivitis (p < 0.05) and controls (p < 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that the inflammatory process generated by gingivitis and periodontitis is not related to a higher occurrence of chromosomal damage. However, the higher occurrence of apoptosis in individuals with periodontitis points to genotoxic effects induced by periodontal infection.

Influence of periodontitis in the development of nosocomial pneumonia: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Although a number of studies on the role of periodontitis in the development of nosocomial pneumonia (NP) have been published, the debate surrounding the existence and nature of this association continues. The present study investigates the influence of periodontitis in NP. METHODS: This case-control study involved 315 individuals: 85 cases (with NP) and 230 controls (without NP), at a general hospital in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. Sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and lifestyle habits were recorded. A full-mouth periodontal examination was performed and periodontal condition assessed. The diagnosis of NP was made in accordance with established medical criteria, after physical, microbiologic, and/or radiographic examination. Logistic regression was used to calculate the strength of the association between periodontitis and NP. RESULTS: Individuals with periodontitis were three times as likely to present with NP (unadjusted odds ratio [OR unadjusted] = 3.06, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.82 to 5.15) as those without periodontal disease. After adjusting for age, time between hospitalization and data collection, last visit to dentist, smoking habit, and present occupation, the association measurement had a slight decrease (OR adjusted = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.59 to 5.19), but the results continued to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that periodontal infection may influence the development of NP, highlighting that periodontitis is a factor positively associated with this respiratory tract infection.