Systemic Diseases in Patients with Periodontal Disease in Apia, Samoa 

Periodontitis has been associated with a number of systemic diseases. Periodontal disease is a prevalent condition in Samoa, with the presence of intensive gingivitis and widespread destructive periodontitis in adulthood (Cutress TW 2003). Objective: To establish the prevalence of systemic conditions amongst people diagnosed with periodontitis. Method: A case control study was conducted using a structured questionnaire to determine medical history and oral examination performed to collect clinical data; CPI scores, Plaque scores, Gingival recession and Mobility scores. Participants attending the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Dental Clinic were randomly selected (n= 600) and requested to participate in the survey. The response rate was 100%, 3.2% (19) of the participants were excluded as they did not meet the inclusion criteria. A chi-square test was used to determine the association (p<0.05) Results: Periodontitis was diagnosed among 22.3% (8.8% moderate, 13.5% severe) and Gingivitis in 55.2%. Almost a quarter of all participants had one or more systemic condition. The common systemic conditions of diabetes (n=84) and hypertension (n=78) were mostly from the mid-aged and elderly. Others had some form of cardiovascular disease other than hypertension (n=13), pregnant (n=11), rheumatoid arthritis (n=7), asthma (n=6), or had other rare systemic conditions. Of those who had healthy periodontium; 22.4% had a systemic condition; 13% of those with gingivitis had a systemic condition and 53.7% of those with Moderate to severe periodontitis had a systemic condition (p<0.0001). The more prevalent systemic conditions amongst those having periodontitis were diabetes and hypertension. Conclusion: The presence of systemic disease amongst patients with periodontitis is highly statistically significant(p<0.0001).