Epidemiological risk factors for periodontal pockets and clinical attachment loss among Greek adults

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify variables related to deep periodontal pockets and clinical attachment loss. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 575 Greek adults, 259 males and 316 females aged 35 to 69 years who referred in a private practice for periodontal treatment. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire which included several epidemiological variables and underwent an oral clinical examination. The analyses performed by multinomial logistic regression model to estimate the possible associations among the variables examined. Results: 31.3% of the participants showed a mean probing pocket depth of >6.00 mm, and 67.1% showed a mean clinical attachment loss of ≥5.0 mm. Male gender, lower socio-economic status, smoking; irregular dental follow-up and a diabetes mellitus history were consistent statistically significant potential risk factors for probing pocket depth of ≥4.00 mm and clinical attachment loss of ≥3.00 mm. Conclusion: These results confirm previous findings regarding the principal role of cigarette smoking and various epidemiological variables in the etiology of deep periodontal pockets and periodontal loss of attachment.