title: Risk factors for the progression of periodontal disease in a Greek adult population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to investigate the progression risk factors of periodontal disease by individual characteristics at baseline in a Greek adult population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample consisted of 854 individuals. All participants were clinically examined and answered questions regarding sex, smoking status, socioeconomic status, low educational level, frequency of dental follow up, and oral hygiene habits. Serum levels of disease markers were investigated, and attachment levels were clinically recorded. For the assessment of periodontal disease progression, additional clinical attachment loss (CAL) was used if one or more sites showed a 3 mm or more increase in probing attachment level over a 2-year period. Statistical analysis was performed by using a modified multiple Poisson's analysis model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 74% of the participants exhibited additional CAL over a 2-year period. Significant associations were observed between additional CAL and smoking (relative risk [RR] = 0.78, 95% confidence level [CI] = 0.65-0.92), attachment level of 5 mm or more at baseline (RR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.75-1.05), educational level (RR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.76-1.07), socioeconomic status (RR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.59-1.14), and irregular dental follow up (RR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.04-1.45).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking, baseline attachment level of 5 mm or more, low educational level, low socioeconomic status, and irregular dental follow up could be considered risk factors for further CAL.
authors.affiliation: General Military Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.|Department of Pathological Anatomy, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Chrysanthakopoulos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010510:Periodontal Diseases; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: adult; clinical attachment loss; periodontal disease; progression; risk factor