Measuring periodontitis in population studies: a literature review / Medição de periodontite em estudos populacionais: uma revisão de literatura

Case definitions used to identify periodontitis significantly affect the prevalence and risk estimates from population studies. A plethora of definitions has been employed by researchers since the 1940s. The variation in disease definitions affects the comparability and validity of the estimates. This study aimed to review case definitions of periodontitis in prevalence and risk population studies. PubMed and MedIine were searched for the following keywords: "Periodontitis" AND "cross sectional/case control/epidemiology". Studies were selected and reviewed. We found that there is a variety of case definitions being employed in prevalence and risk factor studies. Starting with the index systems, the definitions have been influenced by our understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. There is a need for a uniform case definition for prevalence surveys and population-specific definitions for association studies.

A definição diagnóstica utilizada para identificar periodontite determina em grande parte a prevalência e as estimativas de risco a partir de estudos populacionais. Uma grande variedade de definições tem sido utilizada por pesquisadores desde a década de1940. Esta variabilidade de definição da doença afeta a comparação e a validade das estimativas. Este estudo teve por objetivo revisar as definições de periodontite em estudos populacionais de prevalência e de risco. Realizou-se uma busca eletrônica na base de dados PubMedMedIinecom as plavras-chave: "Periodontitis" AND "crosssectional/case control/epidemiology". Os artigos foram selecionados e analisados. Este trabalho de revisão encontrou grande variedade de definição de casos usada em estudos de prevalência e de fatores de risco.A partir dos sistemas de indexação, as definições foram influenciadas pelo então entendimento corrente da patogênese da doença. Há necessidade de uma definição de caso uniforme para inquéritos de prevalência e definições populacionais específicas para estudos de associação.

Periodontitis in India and Bangladesh. Need for a population based approach in epidemiological surveys. A Literature review.

Background: Early surveys showed people of India and its neighbors to be highly susceptible to periodontitis. This was based on the early surveys which estimated a higher prevalence. Aim: This paper reviews the prevalence of periodontitis in India and Bangladesh and attempts to find out why the populations of the Indian subcontinent were considered more susceptible to periodontitis. Settings and design: Review of periodontitis prevalence studies on the Indian and Bangladeshi population. Methods and material: After identifying articles from Pub Med, DAOJ and hand searching, the epidemiology of periodontitis is reviewed. Results and conclusion: This review identifies that very few studies have been done on representative population. Yet it can be certainly concluded that there is a high prevalence of periodontitis in the adults and the economically weak population which can be reduced by adopting preventive public health strategies. Conclusions: Standardized population based studies in a representative population with a robust design to identify the true prevalence of periodontitis is needed.

Association between chronic generalized periodontitis and hyperlipidemia – a case control study.

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Periodontal disease is caused by predominantly anaerobic gram negative bacteria. Microbial substances initiate and perpetuate the inflammation resulting in the production of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and hyperactivity of white blood cells and of blood platelets, thus promoting the development of hyperlipidemia. Objective: To evaluate the plasma lipids (Total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoproteins and Triglycerides) as well as Fasting blood glucose levels in non diabetic, non-obese periodontal disease patients and controls. Materials and methods: 18 subjects with chronic periodontal disease (aged 38 to 50 years) were matched for age, sex and BMI (Body Mass Index) with 18 healthy subjects. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose levels were measured using routine enzymatic biochemical methods. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides was significantly higher in chronic periodontitis patients by 12 %( p<0.02), 14 %( p<0.03) and 22 %( p<0.03) respectively as compared to controls. Fasting blood glucose levels was higher by 7% (p<0.04) in chronic periodontitis patients than controls. Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia and prediabetic state may be associated with chronic periodontitis.