Risk Indicators for Aggressive Periodontitis in an Urban Brazilian Population

Background: There is scarce information about the association between risk indicators and periodontitis in young subjects. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association of smoking behavior and dental calculus with the occurrence of aggressive periodontitis (AgP) in a young urban Brazilian population. Methods: The study group consisted of 612 subjects 14-29 years of age, and included a probability sample of the young population in the capital of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. A full-mouth clinical examination of 6 sites per tooth was performed. An interview gathered demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral information. A multivariable logistic regression for complex surveys was used to model the associations. Results: Subjects with AgP had significantly higher percentages of sites with dental plaque, supragingival calculus, and gingival bleeding than normal subjects (p< 0.001). The association remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, socioeconomic status, and smoking behavior. AgP was significantly more prevalent among heavy smokers than non-smokers (p< 0.01). In a multivariable model, the risk for AgP was significantly higher in the 25-29 than 14-19 years groups (OR=6.2), low than middle/high socioeconomic status groups (OR=4.5), moderate/heavy smokers than nonsmokers (OR=3.1), and in subjects with high (≥10%) than low (<10%) supragingival calculus (OR=3.6). Conclusions: Smoking and dental calculus are significant risk indicators of AgP in this population. Suitable periodontal prevention programs should use these risk indicators, and particularly target groups of low socioeconomic status. Funding: Foundation for Post-Graduate Education (CAPES), Ministry of Education, Brazilia, DF, Brazil.