title: Frequency distributions of periodontal attachment loss. Computer simulation.
abstract: 3 patterns of attachment loss were described based on curve fitting the frequency distributions of baseline attachment level measurements of 61 subjects with destructive periodontal diseases. The frequency distributions of attachment level measurements of 30 group I individuals were satisfactorily fit by attachment level measurements of 30 group I individuals were satisfactorily fit by the sum of 2 normal curves, while those of 14 group II individuals were fit by the sum of 3 normal curves. Frequency distributions of 17 group III subjects were fit by a single normal curve. A computer algorithm was used to simulate attachment level loss frequency distributions by varying the "burst size" at active lesions and by imposing "immunity" for varying periods of time on sites which had been attacked. Frequency distributions of group I subjects could be simulated using burst sizes between 0.3 and 3.4 mm. These subjects could be divided into 2 groups: 14 subjects with localized minimal attachment loss required an average burst size of less than 1 mm, while 16 subjects with more destruction at diseased sites required an average burst size of greater than 1 mm to simulate their frequency distributions. Frequency distributions of 16 of 17 group III subjects could be simulated using an average burst size of less than 1 mm. However, the frequency distributions could also be simulated using larger burst sizes with the imposition of "immunity" for substantial periods of time at the attacked sites. The frequency distributions of group II subjects were more difficult to simulate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Socransky
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Haffajee
mesh_terms: D003201:Computers; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008954:Models, Biological; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010519:Periodontium / Q000473:pathology*; D012984:Software