ABSTRACT
A lot of studies have shown periodontal diseases as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The association between periodontitis and preeclampsia has been studied recently with controversy. Considering the importance of preventing preeclamspia as a dangerous and life-threatening disease in pregnant women, the present study was carried out. Two hundred and ten pregnant women participated in this case-control study [105 controls and 105 cases] during year 2007 and 2008. Preeclamptic cases were defined as blood pressure >/= 140/90 mmHg and proteinuria +1. Control group were pregnant women with normal blood pressure without proteinuria. Both groups were examined during 48 hours after child delivery. Plaque index [PLI], Pocket Depth [PD], Clinical Attachment Level [CAL], Bleeding On Probing [BOP], Gingival Recession [GR] were measured on all teeth except for third molars and recorded as periodontal examination. Data was analyzed using t-test, chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U statistical tests. There was no significant difference between the two study groups for PD. CAL, GR, BOP significantly increased in the case group [P<0.02]. This study showed that preeclampsia cases were more likely to develop periodontal disease [P<0.0001]. Eighty three percent of the control group and 95% of the case group had periodontal disease [p<0.005] which had shown that preeclampsia cases were 4.1 times more likely to have periodontal disease [OR=4.1]. Preeclamptic cases significantly had higher attachment loss and gingival recession than the control group