Association Between Periodontitis and Medication Intake: a Retrospective Study

Objectives: There is limited information regarding the medication profile in patients with periodontitis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between severity (stage), extent, and rate of progression (grade) of periodontitis with medication intake using the database of patients attended at the Clinic of Periodontics of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Costa Rica.
Methods: Patients’ electronic health records with a periodontal diagnosis based on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions (2017) were evaluated. Individuals were further categorized based on severity, extent, and rate of progression. Data extracted from patients’ records included age, gender, self-reported medication intake, including herbal medicine and dietary supplements.
Results: A total of 688 records were included. Most of the patients were middle aged (35-64 years old), 43.60% were male, and 56.40% female. Half of the studied population reported taking medication (50.15%). Regarding, periodontal treatment, 60.90% underwent steps 1-3 of periodontitis therapy, and 39.10% step 4. The most common medication taken was for cardiovascular diseases (31.25%). Most patients were diagnosed with Stage III (57,41%), followed by Stage II (20.49%). Fischer’s exact test showed that systemic medication for diabetes mellitus (insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents) were significantly associated with periodontal disease severity. Patients with Stage III consumed the most dietary supplements. Nonetheless, none of the examined systemic medication types were significantly associated with periodontal disease extent. Noteworthy, dietary supplements were more frequently consumed by patients with a generalized extent. Grade B was diagnosed in 51,60% of the individuals, 42.15% were diagnosed with C, and 6.54% with A. The association between systemic medications for diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease rate of progression was confirmed. Finally, 17.29% of the studied population took two or more systemic medications.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, individuals that took systemic medication for diabetes were significantly associated with disease severity and rapid progression of periodontitis.