Is there an association between stage of periodontitis and severity of chronic medical burden? A retrospective cohort study

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the severity of periodontitis, measured through stage of the disease, and the severity of chronic medical burden.

Materials and methods The present retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted in a private practice. Medical and periodontal records were assessed. Subject were classified as affected by periodontitis or without periodontitis. Comorbidities were evaluated in number through the chronic comorbidity count (CC) and in severity applying the Total Score (TS) of the Cumulative Illness Rating Scales. A multivariate linear regression model was built to evaluate predictors affecting the stage of periodontitis, adjusting for age, sex and smoke. A two-steps clustering algorithm was done to evaluate clusters of presentation of variables.

Results The multivariate analysis showed that there was 0.046 increase in stage for each year of age and 0.347 increase in stage for each point of total score, (stage=-1.225 + 0.046*(age) + 0.347*(total score)). The adapted R2 value was 0.546. Two-step cluster analysis revealed the presence of 2 main clusters.

Conclusions A positive association between stage of periodontitis and severity of comorbidities was detected: as the severity of periodontitis increased, the severity of systemic medical burden worsened. Age influenced this association.