The prevalence of periodontal-related changes in adolescents with asthma: results of the Third Annual National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to explore the association between asthma and periodontal disease in adolescents using oral examination and health interview data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988-1994.


METHODS
The study population comprised 1,596 adolescents 13 to 17 years of age: 253 (16%) asthmatics and 1,358 (84%) nonasthmatic controls who were examined for bleeding on probing (BOP), subgingival calculus (SBC), supragingival calculus (SPC), probing depth greater than or equal to 3 mm (PD), and loss of periodontal attachment greater than or equal to 2 mm (LPA). The authors fitted separate multivariate GEE Poisson regression models adjusting for parents' income, gender, race, exposure to potentially xerogenic drugs (antihistamines, corticosteroids, and inhalers), tobacco exposure, and dental examination within the past year.


RESULTS
None of the periodontal measures was associated with asthma severity or with the use of antiasthmatic drugs. However, several covariates had statistically significant odds ratios (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no evidence to support the association between asthma and periodontal health in the adolescent population. Since the findings may be due to the inherent limitations of cross-sectional studies, the lack of knowledge about the daily dose of antiasthmatic medication, and the level of-compliance with the therapeutic regimen, future studies should be longitudinal and monitor medication use.
Shulman
Jay D
JD
Department of Public Health Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, Tex, USA. jshulman@tambcd.edu
Nunn
Martha E
ME
Taylor
Samuel E
SE
Rivera-Hidalgo
Francisco
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D014481:United States
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists