| Summary: |
Aim: The objective of this study was to determine whether an association existed
between chronic systemic diseases/conditions, risk factors common in old age, and the
extent and severity of chronic periodontal disease.
Materials and Methods: Sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were
examined by contrasting rural, urban-marginal, and urban social environments in
Central Mexico. Data were analysed with Analysis of Variance, w2 tests, and
multivariable logistic regression.
Results: A total of 473 adults 60 years old and over were interviewed; 315 were
also examined and underwent laboratory assays (participation rate, 66%); women,
62%; mean age 73 8 years; 23% edentulous. The distribution of periodontitis by
sociodemographic variables showed differences across locales (73% low-urban,
57% middle-urban, 29% rural). The regression model indicated that periodontitis
was more frequently associated with low-urban locale, higher systolic blood pressure,
higher body mass index, and worse calculus readings, with an interaction whereby
being obese and having a high calculus index was associated with a high probability of
having periodontitis.
Conclusions: Overall periodontal conditions were fair. While we identified oral,
systemic, and social variables that modulated the experience of periodontitis, it would
appear that urban, low social class elders appeared to have worse periodontal
conditions.
|