Socio-economic risk indicators for apical periodontitis

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to reveal possible socio-economic risk indicators for apical periodontitis. Material and Methods. In 1992–93 a representative sample of women in Göteborg, Sweden, aged 38–84 years, participated in a medical and dental survey (n=981) which included dental and medical examinations and dental radiographic examination (OP). The dependent variable was apical periodontitis (AP = 0, AP > 0). The independent variables were age, number of teeth, number of restored teeth, number of root-filled teeth, number of teeth with carious lesions, satisfactory masticatory function, and dental esthetics as crude measures of self-reported dental health, dental anxiety, time elapsed since last visit to a dental office, regular dental visiting habits, smoking, alcohol habits, and marital status. A subjective evaluation of economy, health and life situation (acceptable or poor) was accounted for as socio-economic variables. The oldest age group, women born 1908, and edentulous individuals were omitted, leaving 844 subjects for analysis. Statistical analysis included multivariate logistic regression, chi-squared test, and independent t-test for comparison of group characteristics (AP = 0 vs AP > 0). Results. For socio-economic variables there was a significant association between acceptable health and apical periodontitis (OR = 1.72 (CI = 1.09–2.70)). For oral-related variables, root-filled teeth (OR = 1.17 (CI = 1.10–1.23)) and teeth with carious lesions (OR = 1.48 (CI = 1.19–1.85)) were predictive of apical periodontitis. Conclusions. In the present study, socio-economic variables and dental visiting habits did not appear to have obvious implications for periapical health, whereas root-filled teeth and carious lesions were associated with apical periodontitis.