Epidemiology of periodontal diseases in the Study of Health in Pomerania.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and extent of periodontal diseases among adults in a province in Eastern Germany.


METHODS
The Study of Health in Pomerania is a population-based study conducted during 1997-2001. The net random sample comprised 4310 20-81-year-old subjects. Periodontal status was assessed at four surfaces using a half-mouth recording protocol.


RESULTS
The prevalence of attachment loss >or=3 mm was 89.7%, with 62.8% of teeth being affected. Probing depths >or=4 mm were prevalent in 69.7% of subjects, and 29.6% of teeth were affected. 25.3% of all subjects had severe pockets (>or=6 mm). Periodontitis was significantly more prevalent in males. For attachment loss, the prevalence and extent increased significantly with increasing age, whereas probing depth values levelled off after the age of 40. In older subjects, increased recession and attachment loss were found, while the probing depth remained constant. According to the recent CDC classification, 17.6% and 33.3% of persons had severe and moderate periodontitis, respectively. The prevalence of periodontitis increased significantly with age and remained constant after the age of 50-59.


CONCLUSIONS
Periodontitis is more prevalent in Pomerania than in the United States or Western Europe. In older subjects, attachment loss steadily increased, while the probing depth remained constant.
Holtfreter
Birte
B
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology and Endodontology, Unit of Periodontology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. birte.holtfreter@uni-greifswald.de
Schwahn
Christian
C
Biffar
Reiner
R
Kocher
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult