Progression of destructive periodontal diseases in three urban minority populations: role of clinical and demographic factors.
OBJECTIVE
Differences in prevalence, severity and risk factors for destructive periodontal diseases have been reported for ethnic/racial groups. However, it is not certain whether this disparity is due to ethnicity/race or factors associated with ethnicity/race. Therefore, the present study addressed whether the rates of disease progression and clinical and demographic factors associated with disease progression varied among three ethnic/racial groups.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 53 Asian-, 69 African- and 62 Hispanic-Americans. Clinical measurements included probing depth, attachment level, gingival erythema, bleeding upon probing, suppuration and plaque. Disease progression was defined as a > 2 mm loss of attachment 2 months post baseline. The demographic variables examined included occupational status, report of a private dentist, years resident in the United States and smoking history.


RESULTS
The rate of attachment loss for the entire population was 0.04 mm or 0.24 mm/year. No significant differences were found among the three ethnic/racial groups. Variables associated with subsequent attachment loss for the entire population were age, male gender, mean whole-mouth plaque, erythema, bleeding upon probing, suppuration, attachment loss and probing depth, and belonging to the "unskilled" occupational group. No differences in risk profiles were found among the 3 ethnic/racial groups. Using stepwise logistic regression analysis, a model was developed to relate the clinical and demographic variables examined with subsequent attachment loss. The model indicated that prior attachment loss, gingival erythema, suppuration, being a current smoker and belonging to the "unskilled" occupational group conferred high risk of > 1 site of attachment loss of > 2 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that variables associated with ethnicity/race, such as occupational status, are largely responsible for the observed disparity in destructive periodontal disease progression in these populations.
Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, USA. rgc1@nyu.edu
Ronald G
RG
Craig
Julie K
JK
Yip
Dindo Q
DQ
Mijares
Racquel Z
RZ
LeGeros
Sigmund S
SS
Socransky
Anne D
AD
Haffajee
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian; D018450:Disease Progression; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000503:physiopathology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups; D009790:Occupations; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000503:physiopathology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000503:physiopathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014481:United States; D014504:Urban Health