Severity and prevalence of plaque-induced gingivitis in the Chinese population.
This study investigated the prevalence and severity of gingivitis and plaque in a representative Chinese population of adults.


METHODS
Using the Loe-Silness gingivitis index (GI) and the modified Quigley-Hein plaque index (PULI), researchers examined 1143 patients from Guangzhou, Shenyang, and Nanjing for the presence of gingivitis and plaque. A two-tailed t-test was used to determine significant differences in the GI and PLI scores between gender and urban/rural areas. The data pertaining to study sites and age groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variances (ANOVA) by ranks. The correlation between GI/PLI and age was examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Age differences among three sites were analyzed with the one-way ANOVA.


RESULTS
The age and urban/rural compositions (mean age 42.2 years) paralleled the 2008 China census. The overall average and standard deviation of GI and PLI were 1.101 +/- 0.239 and 3.394 +/- 0.578, respectively. Age significantly correlated with GI and PLI (P < .0001). The PLI in males was significantly higher (P < .0001) than in females; however, no significant difference was noted between GI in males compared to females. Patients in rural areas showed a significantly higher GI and PLI (t = 7.723, P < .0001; t = 7.072, P < .0001) than those in urban ones.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical trials evaluating a product's antigingivitis efficacy should recruit participants from a population that represents accurately the intended product users. Variables should include gender, race, age, and geography.
Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
Jincai
J
Zhang
Dongying
D
Xuan
Weihua
W
Fan
Xiong
X
Zhang
Serge
S
Dibart
William
W
De Vizio
Foti
F
Panagakos
Yun-Po
YP
Zhang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult