title: Relationship between menopause and periodontal disease: a cross-sectional study in a Portuguese population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Menopause is associated with important systemic and oral changes. Many researchers have tried to evaluate the influence of hormonal changes associated with menopause in the periodontium, however results are contradictory.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the possible effects of menopause on the severity of periodontal disease and tooth loss, by considering several general, oral and periodontal parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  102 women with chronic periodontitis, and at least six teeth, were divided into two groups: a study group (SG) consisting of 68 menopausal women and a control group (CG) consisting of 34 premenopausal women. The participants had extensive anamnesis, made by a single senior periodontologist, which collected demographic data, medical and gynaecological history and habits. Additionally, oral and periodontal parameters including: number of teeth, plaque index, presence of calculi, probing depth, bleeding on probing, gingival recession and attachment loss were recorded. The following statistical tests were used: Chi-square, Fisher's t-test for independent samples, non-parametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, and linear multiple regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of teeth was significantly lower in postmenopausal women (SG 10.8 ± 5.9, CG 6.8 ± 4.6), however, after adjusting for age, smoking and plaque index, the difference was no longer statistically significant (P=0.169). The attachment loss was slightly higher in the study group, although the difference is not significant (SG 4.31 ± 1.08, CG 4.05 ± 1.28).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Menopause does not appear to significantly influence the severity of periodontal disease and tooth loss. Other factors may exert a greater influence on the progression of periodontal disease rather than menopause itself.
authors.affiliation: Center for Interdisciplinary Research Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Health Sciences Institute Monte da Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ricardo C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Center for Interdisciplinary Research Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Health Sciences Institute Monte da Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sérgio A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Félix
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Granada Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Archilla
authors.affiliation: Center for Interdisciplinary Research Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Health Sciences Institute Monte da Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Center for Interdisciplinary Research Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Health Sciences Institute Monte da Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.affiliation: Center for Interdisciplinary Research Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Health Sciences Institute Monte da Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: José Martins
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
keywords: Periodontal disease; menopause; oestrogen; osteoporosis