Anxiety, gingival inflammation and periodontal disease in non-smokers and smokers - an epidemiological study

Investigation of the effect of virtual reality distraction in patients undergoing mandibular periodontal surgery: A randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE

This clinical study aimed to evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR) technology on anxiety and pain levels in patients undergoing gingivectomy and gingivoplasty procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patients were randomized into test (surgery with VR glasses) and control (surgery without VR glasses) groups. Before the surgery, the anxiety level was measured using the modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS), and anticipated pain (AP) was measured by a visual analog scale (VAS). Immediately after the surgery, the pain and discomfort associated with the surgery (VASP), procedure time (T), and time perception (TP) were evaluated. The patients in the test group were requested to assess the immersion (VASI), satisfaction (VASS), perception of reduced anxiety (VASA), and perceived control (VASC). One week after surgery, MDAS was applied to all patients.

RESULTS

This trial was conducted with 41 female and 17 male subjects with a mean age of 29.69 ± 12.32. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, sex, preoperative MDAS, or AP. After surgery, MDAS, VASP, T, and TP failed to differ significantly between the groups. The subject age was positively correlated with VASI, VASS, VASA, and VASC (r = 0.60, p = 0.00; r = 0.44, p = 0.02; r = 0.46, p = 0.02; r = 0.50, p = 0.01, respectively) and negatively correlated with VASP (r = 0.47, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

VR application did not affect anxiety and pain levels in patients undergoing periodontal surgery. More studies are needed to evaluate VR distraction in periodontal surgeries with diverse age samples and video options.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

VR does not affect anxiety and pain levels during gingivectomy and gingivoplasty surgeries in the young adult population. It should be evaluated in older age groups. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06092177.

Mental health and periodontal and peri-implant diseases

Mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, affect a significant number of the global population. Several pathophysiological pathways for these disorders have been identified, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, autonomic nervous system, and the immune system. In addition, life events, environmental factors, and lifestyle affect the onset, progression, and recurrence of mental health disorders. These may all overlap with periodontal and/or peri-implant disease. Mental health disorders are associated with more severe periodontal disease and, in some cases, poorer healing outcomes to nonsurgical periodontal therapy. They can result in behavior modification, such as poor oral hygiene practices, tobacco smoking, and alcohol abuse, which are also risk factors for periodontal disease and, therefore, may have a contributory effect. Stress has immunomodulatory effects regulating immune cell numbers and function, as well as proinflammatory cytokine production. Stress markers such as cortisol and catecholamines may modulate periodontal bacterial growth and the expression of virulence factors. Stress and some mental health disorders are accompanied by a low-grade chronic inflammation that may be involved in their relationship with periodontal disease and vice versa. Although the gut microbiome interacting with the central nervous system (gut-brain axis) is thought to play a significant role in mental illness, less is understood about the role of the oral microbiome. The evidence for mental health disorders on implant outcomes is lacking, but may mainly be through behaviourial changes. Through lack of compliance withoral hygiene and maintenance visits, peri-implant health can be affected. Increased smoking and risk of periodontal disease may also affect implant outcomes. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been linked with higher implant failure. They have an anabolic effect on bone, reducing turnover, which could account for the increased loss.

Abnormal Micronutrient Intake Is Associated with the Risk of Periodontitis: A Dose-response Association Study Based on NHANES 2009-2014

The association between micronutrient intake and the risk of periodontitis has received much attention in recent years. However, most studies focused on the linear relationship between them. This study aimed to explore the dose–response association between micronutrient intake and periodontitis. A total of 8959 participants who underwent a periodontal examination, and reported their micronutrient intake levels were derived from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2009–2014) database. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate associations between micronutrient intake and periodontitis after propensity score matching (PSM), and restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis was conducted to explore the dose–response associations. Following PSM, 5530 participants were included in the RCS analysis. The risk of periodontitis was reduced with sufficient intake of the following micronutrients: vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin E. In addition, the risk of periodontitis was increased with excessive intake of the following micronutrients: vitamin B1 (1.8 mg/day, males; 1.3 mg/day, females), vitamin C (90 mg/day, males), and copper (1.1 mg/day, combined). In conclusion, a linear association was found between vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin C, and copper and periodontitis—namely, a sufficient intake of vitamin A and vitamin B2 might help reduce the prevalence of periodontitis; by contrast, a high intake of vitamin C and copper increased the risk. In addition, a nonlinear dose–response association was found for the incidence of periodontitis with vitamin B1 and vitamin E. When within reasonable limits, supplemental intake helped reduce the prevalence of periodontitis, while excessive intake did not help significantly and might even increase the risk. However, confounding factors, such as health awareness, should still be considered.

Oral health status of individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder considering oral hygiene habits

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the oral health status of individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

METHODS

Ninety-two participants, aged 18 years and older from which 46 had OCD symptoms, were included in this comparative cross-sectional study. Data on age, sex, smoking habit, educational level, and potential mediators including brushing frequency (BF) and brushing duration (BD) were collected. Clinical examinations determined outcome measures including decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT), presence of root caries (PoRC), gingival recession (GR), plaque index (PI), and papillary bleeding index (PBI). Pathway analysis was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Individuals with OCD had significantly lower DMFT (p < .01), higher BF (p = .01), and lower PI (p = .01); however, there were no significant differences regarding BD, GR, PBI, and PoRC (p > .05). While BD did not have a mediating role, BF mediated the effect of OCD on DMFT (B = -0.31, CI = -0.60 to -0.06) and PI (B = -0.15, CI = -0.36 to -0.03). Males had less PI (B = -1.03, CI = -1.81 to -0.24) and PBI (B = -1.14, CI = -2.09 to 0.20) than females. Except for OCD and sex, other predictors were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with OCD had lower caries experience and similar gingival health compared to controls. Part of the impact of OCD was mediated through brushing habits.

Is There Any Association Between Chronic Periodontitis and Anxiety in Adults? A Systematic Review

Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease triggered by dysbiotic biofilms, involving the host's immune response, systemic and behavioral factors, including psychosocial conditions. This systematic review aimed to investigate the possible association between periodontitis and anxiety in adults. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Cochrane, and OpenGrey databases, without language restrictions, considering studies in adults (P-Participants), with (E-Exposure) and without periodontitis (C- Comparison) in an outcome of association with anxiety (O-outcome). Methodological quality assessment was carried out using the Newcastle-Ottawa protocol for case-control and cross-sectional studies, followed by an analysis of the level of evidence using the GRADE tool. Metanalysis was not performed due to several differences in methods applied by authors in primary studies. Eleven observational studies were selected according to the inclusion criteria from the total of 6,380 studies retrieved from databases. Eight studies demonstrated higher anxiety levels in subjects with periodontitis, among which only one study presented a high risk of bias. The GRADE tool revealed a low level of evidence for the anxiety outcome measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), both for case-control and cross-sectional studies. However, since anxiety may affect the quality of life of many subjects, it reinforces the need for further studies that evaluate this association for more extended periods. Clinical Trial Registration:PROSPERO-CRD42020190445.

Dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life in aggressive periodontitis patients

OBJECTIVES

To measure dental anxiety levels and oral health-related qualities of life (OHRQoL) in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) compared to controls and analyze their association with various demographic and clinical parameters.

METHODS

Sixty consecutive patients with AgP were compared to 80 age- and sex-matched controls with no known history of periodontal disease. Collected data included demographics, smoking habits, numerical rating scale (NRS), Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), DMFT index (Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth), Plaque Index (PI), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and radiographic bone loss.

RESULTS

AgP patients exhibited statistically significant higher scores in the DAS total as well as sub-scores, except from DAS 1st question. Compared to the control group, AgP patients exhibited worse OHIP-14 global as well as in all individual OHIP-14 domains scores. Among both AgP and control patients, the physical pain domain was where the highest impact was recorded, while the lowest impact was recorded in the functional limitation domain.

CONCLUSIONS

AgP patients were positively associated with higher levels of dental anxiety and worse OHRQoL. Self-perception of dental anxiety and OHRQoL should be regarded as an integral element in routine diagnostic work-up process of periodontal diseases.

STATEMENT OF CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Aggressive periodontitis (AgP) patients exhibited higher dental anxiety levels and worse oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) compared to controls. Professionals should design strategies that will cope with the dental anxiety associated with the treatment and prevent decreases in OHRQoL.

Influence of sleep disturbance, fatigue, vitality on oral health and academic performance in indian dental students

Background

Oral health and academic performance are important contributing factors for a student’s professional life. Countless factors affect both, among which sleep, vitality and fatigue are less explored areas that also have a strong impact.

Objective

The objective of the study was to assess the association of sleep disturbances, fatigue and vitality with self reported oral health status, oral hygiene habits and academic performance of dental students of Udaipur.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate and postgraduate dental students of Udaipur. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to assess the psychological factors, vitality, sleep quality, fatigue, self reported oral health status, habits and academic performance. Analysis of variance and stepwise multiple linear regression were utilized for statistical analysis with 95% confidence level and 5% level of significance.

Results

Of the 230 participants, 180 (78.3%) were undergraduates and 50 (21.7%) were postgraduates. Among them, females showed higher scores in disturbed sleep index (2.69±2.14) as compared to males (2.45±1.91). Respondents who had “Poor” dental health, scored more in disturbed sleep index (3.15±1.64) and fatigue scale (20.00±4.88). Subjects who flossed “everyday”, were found to have good sleep and more energy (p=0.01) and those who assessed themselves as excellent students scored more in the Vitality Scale (p=0.01) and less in the Sleep index (p=0.01).

Conclusion

The present study confirms that disturbed sleep, aliveness and fatigue, all are interlinked with each other and are imperative factors having the potential to alter the oral health status, habits and academics of dental students.

Association between anxiety, obesity and periodontal disease in smokers and non-smokers: A cross-sectional study

Background. Psychological stress is known to be a relevant risk factor for many inflammatory conditions, including periodontal disease. A few studies have probed the relationship between obesity and periodontal disease. Therefore this cross-sectional study was aimed to examine the relationship between psychological stress and obesity and periodontal disease in smokers and non-smokers. Methods. The participants included 90 patients, equally divided into three groups of non-smokers and periodontally healthy, non-smokers and smokers with untreated moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis. Socioeconomic data, psychosocial measurements, physical parameters and clinical findings of PPD, CAL, PI and GI were recorded. Results. The clinical parameters were assessed for three groups in three different anxiety levels of mild, moderate and severe. Intra-group comparison of PPD and CAL in the three anxiety levels showed increased periodontal destruction with an increase in anxiety levels, the results being statistically highly significant for PPD differences in smokers (P < 0.0001). The mean differences in PPD and CAL in severe anxiety levels between smokers and non-smokers were 0.68 mm and 0.70 mm and both the findings were statistically significant. The mean PPD and CAL in smoker and non-smoker groups in obese patients was higher as compared to non-obese patients and the differences were highly significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion. The results of our study indicated a positive and strong correlation between anxiety, obesity and periodontal disease in smokers and non-smokers. Smoking appears to further attenuate this association.

Periodontal Health among Non-Hospitalized Chronic Psychiatric Patients in Mangaluru City-India

INTRODUCTION

A substantial section of society constituting the mentally ill and psychiatric patients deserve special attention. Evidence has suggested that psychological factors have contributed to an increase in the susceptibility to periodontal disease.

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the gingival and periodontal health of chronically non-hospitalized psychiatric patients in Mangaluru city, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty one psychiatric patients having chronic psychiatric illness and on neuroleptic medications for a minimum of 2 years were included in the study. The control group consisted of 41 healthy dental patients who were selected to match the study group by age and gender, and for both groups 20 teeth excluding the third molars should be present. Demographic characteristics, dental examination including gingival index and periodontal health according to the community periodontal index were recorded for each patient in both the groups.

RESULTS

In the psychiatric patient group (Group A) 47.1% subjects were suffering from schizophrenia and 17.6% subjects were having mood disorder. Gingivitis varied from mild to severe among the patients of both the groups. Bleeding on probing (CPI 1) was recorded in 23.5% in Group A and 14.6% in Group B. Dental calculus (CPI 2) in 38.2% in Group A and 58.5% in Group B of the subjects, 20.6% with at least one 4mm to 5mm pocket (CPI 3), and 17.6% with at least one 6mm pocket (CPI 4).

CONCLUSION

The present study underlines a considerable need for prevention and treatment of periodontal disease among chronic psychiatric patients in Mangaluru city. Every effort should be made to increase the awareness of this cohort regarding the importance of oral hygiene practices and on the early diagnosis of periodontal problems.

The oral health of people with anxiety and depressive disorders - a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many psychological disorders are associated with comorbid physical illness. There are less data on dental disease in common psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety in spite of risk factors in this population of diet, lifestyle or antidepressant-induced dry mouth.

METHODS

We undertook a systematic search for studies of the oral health of people with common psychological disorders including depression, anxiety and dental phobia. We searched MEDLINE, PsycInfo, EMBASE and article bibliographies. Results were compared with the general population. Outcomes included partial or total tooth-loss, periodontal disease, and dental decay measured through standardized measures such as the mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) or surfaces (DMFS).

RESULTS

There were 19 papers on depression and/or anxiety, and seven on dental phobia/anxiety (total n=26). These covered 334,503 subjects. All the psychiatric diagnoses were associated with increased dental decay on both DMFT and DMFS scores, as well as greater tooth loss (OR=1.22; 95%CI=1.14-1.30). There was no association with periodontal disease, except for panic disorder.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional design of included studies, heterogeneity in some results, insufficient studies to test for publication bias.

CONCLUSION

The increased focus on the physical health of psychiatric patients should encompass oral health including closer collaboration between dental and medical practitioners. Possible interventions include oral health assessment using standard checklists that can be completed by non-dental personnel, help with oral hygiene, management of iatrogenic dry mouth, and early dental referral. Mental health clinicians should also be aware of the oral consequences of inappropriate diet and psychotropic medication.

Association of yoga practice and serum cortisol levels in chronic periodontitis patients with stress-related anxiety and depression

AIM

Reducing the psychosocial stress by various methods can improve overall health, and yoga is now considered as an easily available alternative method. The present cross-sectional pilot study was conducted mainly to find the association of yoga practice with periodontal disease by measuring serum cortisol levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 70 subjects with age range of 35-60 years suffering with chronic periodontitis were divided into group I (with stress), group II (without stress), and group III (practicing yoga). Psychological evaluation was carried out using Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS). Periodontal parameters like plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) at 5-8 mm and >8 mm were recorded. Blood samples were collected and serum cortisol levels were measured.

RESULTS

Mean age, plaque scores, and number of teeth with PPD and CAL at 5-8 mm and >8 mm were similar in all the groups, except between group I and group III where a multiple comparison with Tukey's post-hoc test showed significant difference in plaque index (P < 0.038) and the number of teeth with CAL 5-8 mm (P < 0.016). Serum cortisol levels and HAM-A scale and ZSDS scores showed highly significant value (P < 0.001) in group I subjects when compared with group II and group III subjects.

CONCLUSION

Cross-sectional observation done among three groups showed that individuals practicing yoga regularly had low serum cortisol levels, HAM-A scale and ZSDS scores, and better periodontal health.

Association of periodontal health indicators and major depressive disorder in hospital outpatients

Background:

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with changes in behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroendocrinological factors and thought to be one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. There are various evidences that depression and periodontitis may also be related.

Aim:

The aim was to evaluate the association between MDD and periodontitis in a convenience sample of hospital outpatients.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty individuals (30 subjects with MDD and 30 subjects without MDD) of age 26–67 years were included in the study. Depression was assessed by means of structured clinical interview for diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. The periodontal clinical examination included the number of missing teeth, plaque index, gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL).

Results:

Mean number of missing teeth per patient was 1.14 (±1.2 standard deviation [SD]) in the control group and 2.58 (±1.64 SD) in case group (P < 0.001). The amount of plaque was significantly higher in cases compared with control (P = 0.001). The patients had an average GI of 1.82 (±0.65 SD) compared to 1.14 (±0.81 SD) for the controls (P < 0.001). Mean probing depth and CAL were 4.67 (±0.8 SD) mm and 4.96 (±0.2 SD) mm in the case group and 2.6 (±2.2 SD) mm and 2.7 (±0.43 SD) mm in the control group, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Our study confirms the significant association between depression and periodontitis and depression can be considered one of the important risk factors for periodontal diseases.

The association of depression and anxiety with dental caries and periodontal disease among Finnish adults

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of depression and anxiety with two oral health outcomes, dental caries and periodontal disease and assess possible mediators for any of the associations.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of the Finnish Health 2000 Survey. Depression was assessed with Beck's Depression Inventory and anxiety with Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Number of decayed teeth included carious lesions reaching dentine; periodontal disease was number of teeth with periodontal pockets of 4 mm or deeper. Third molars were excluded. The association of mental disorders and oral health was tested in regression models adjusted for confounders and potential mediators.

RESULTS

Depression was associated with number of decayed teeth only among 35- to 54-year-olds. The association between anxiety and the number of decayed teeth was not statistically significant. Depression and periodontal pocketing were not significantly associated.

CONCLUSION

Depression was significantly associated with number of decayed teeth only among participants aged 35-54 old and not with other age groups. Neither depression nor anxiety was significantly related to periodontal disease.

Association of gingival crevicular fluid cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone levels with periodontal status

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study is to examine whether anxiety and depression scale scores change with regard to clinical periodontal status and to investigate the association between the levels of stress-related hormones in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and extent/severity of periodontal disease.

METHODS

One hundred twenty participants who fulfilled the study inclusion criteria were chosen. Patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and those with healthy periodontal tissues/mild gingivitis were included. The clinical examinations were performed on the day after the psychologic evaluations which included anxiety and depression measurements. GCF sampling was undertaken the following day. Commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine GCF cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels. Study groups were assigned as follows: group 1, non-periodontitis; group 2, localized CP; and group 3, generalized CP.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences with respect to age, sex, education, income level, occupation, or smoking history among the groups (P >0.05). There were no significant differences between the non-periodontitis and CP groups for any of the psychosocial scales (P >0.05). Group 3 had significantly higher mean DHEA scores compared with group 1 (P <0.05); however, the median cortisol scores showed no statistically significant differences among the three groups (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety/depression scores and GCF cortisol levels did not show any difference with regard to clinical periodontal status. However, a significant association was found between elevated levels of GCF DHEA and the severity of periodontitis.

Periodontal status in smokers and nonsmokers: a clinical, microbiological, and histopathological study

A case-control study was done to assess the influence of smoking on clinical, microbiological, and histopathological parameters. Methods. Two hundred dentate male patients (100 smokers and 100 nonsmokers) ranging between 25 and 50 years were enrolled in the study. Periodontal parameters were recorded. Plaque samples were collected for microbial analysis for BANA test. Gingival biopsies were obtained from selected site for assessing histopathological changes. Results. Both groups showed almost similar plaque levels (P=0.258), but smokers had reduced gingival (0.62 ± 0.31) and bleeding indices (28.53 ± 17.52) and an increased calculus index (1.62 ± 0.36). Smokers had an increased probing depth of 4-7 mm (P=0.009) and overall increased CAL. No difference in microbiota was found between the two groups. Histopathologically smokers showed a decreased blood vessel density (8.84 ± 0.96) and inflammatory cells (52.00 ± 9.79). Conclusions. It is quite possible that many of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in tissue degradation in periodontitis in smokers could be quite different from those in nonsmokers.

Involvement of psychosocial factors in the association of obesity with periodontitis

The present case-control study of 79 subjects (19-69 yr) was designed to assess the relationship of several psychological determinants to periodontal disease and obesity. Periodontal clinical examinations were performed, and the subjects were asked to complete a set of questionnaires measuring Type A personality, anxiety, depression, dental anxiety, hopelessness, emotional intelligence, stress, self-esteem, optimism and satisfaction with life. In a bivariate analysis, overweight individuals presented higher levels of smoking exposure, anxiety and depression and lower levels of optimism and satisfaction with life. They were mainly females, with a higher number of sites and teeth with probing depth (PD) >6 mm and clinical attachment level (CAL) >5 mm. Patients with a mean PD exceeding 3 mm and a bleeding on probing index of >25% presented higher values of dental anxiety and lower levels of self-esteem. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that dental anxiety was positively associated with the number of teeth with a PD of >6 mm and with reasons for visiting a dentist, while satisfaction with life was associated with flossing frequency. We conclude that there is an association between several psychological determinants, periodontitis, and body mass index.

Gingival inflammation, increased periodontal pocket depth and elevated interleukin-6 in gingival crevicular fluid of depressed women on long-term sick leave

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to investigate periodontal status, in relation to inflammatory markers and cortisol, in the gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of a homogenous group of women on long-term sick leave for job-stress related depression in comparison to nondepressed women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The participants comprised 20 women with depression (DSM-IV) (mean age 48.5 +/- 6.9 years) and 29 healthy controls (mean age 54.5 +/- 2.9 years). Clinical examination was performed. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected by an intracrevicular washing technique. Interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and MMP-9 were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cortisol was determined by using a radioimmunoassay. One-way analysis of covariance was used as the statistical method.

RESULTS

The depressed patients had significantly higher gingival inflammation (p < 0.001), and deeper pockets (p < 0.003), than the healthy controls, after adjusting for age and smoking. The levels of interleukin-6 in the gingival crevicular fluid were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls: 3.84 +/- 1.58 pg per site and 0.79 +/- 1.83 pg per site, respectively, p < 0.003. There were no significant differences in the levels of interleukin-1 beta, MMP-8 and MMP-9. The patients had lower cortisol values in gingival crevicular fluid than the controls, whereas the levels of cortisol in saliva were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Women on long-term sick-leave for depression had more severe periodontitis and higher concentrations of interleukin-6 in gingival crevicular fluid than healthy controls. An alteration of the immune system in these patients might be interpreted as reflecting the consequences of long-term stress exposure and might contribute to worse periodontal conditions in these particular patients.

Anxiety, stress, depression, and patients' responses to periodontal treatment: periodontists' knowledge and professional behavior

BACKGROUND

Anxiety, stress, and depression affect the use of health care services, treatment decision-making, and responses to periodontal treatment. This study explored periodontists' confidence in detecting patient anxiety, stress, or depression, as well as their knowledge concerning the relationships between these factors and patients' pain, use of pain medication, and wound healing after periodontal treatment. In addition, this research surveyed if (and which) special accommodations were offered when treating patients with high levels of anxiety, stress, or depression.

METHODS

Data were collected from 171 members of the American Academy of Periodontology (response rate = 34.41%). Most respondents were male (82.2%), white (88.2%), and practiced in solo practices (60.9%).

RESULTS

The respondents were more knowledgeable about the effects of anxiety and stress on pain, the use of pain medication, and wound healing than about the impact of depression on these outcomes. They agreed more strongly with statements that they were more confident in their ability to perceive when patients were anxious and stressed than when they were depressed. They also offered more special accommodations for patients with anxiety and stress than for patients with depression.

CONCLUSIONS

The respondents were significantly less knowledgeable about the impact of depression on patients' responses to periodontal treatment than about the effect of anxiety and stress. Given the evidence concerning the relationships among depression, pain, pain medication use, and wound healing, it is important to educate periodontists about the role of anxiety and stress and the significance of depression on their patients' responses to periodontal therapy.

What has ageing to do with periodontal health and disease?

Periodontitis is a multi-factorial disease and in most cases also a disease with a chronic progression. Exposure to factors which contribute to periodontitis occurs over a long period, so that at the time of diagnosis it may be difficult to identify and evaluate what co-factors have contributed to its development. These include exposure to bacteria and viruses, inflammation, genetic factors, health behaviours and a variety of social factors, socio-economic status, behavioural and nutritional habits, the ability to cope with stress and the ability of the immune system to fight infections. Many patients in their 50s also experience other conditions such as heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or rheumatoid arthritis and recent reports on the associations and potential biological mechanisms by which periodontitis can be linked to other systemic diseases suggest that the patient with periodontitis is a challenged individual. Neither individuals nor their oral health care providers are currently prepared for the challenges in oral health care as the expectation of successful ageing with remaining and aesthetically functional teeth is increasing. The scientific evidence is, however, growing, and while the opportunities to prepare for successful ageing exist they must be included in the educational process of both current and future oral health care providers and their patients.

Dental plaque, gingival inflammation, and elevated levels of interleukin-6 and cortisol in gingival crevicular fluid from women with stress-related depression and exhaustion

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to investigate the importance of stress for the development of periodontitis by comparing oral health status, proinflammatory markers, and cortisol in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva in patients with stress-related mental depression and controls.

METHODS

The participants consisted of 43 women with stress-related depression and exhaustion (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition [DSM-IV], with a mean age of 42.0 (+/- 9.3 SD) years, and 29 controls, with a mean age of 54.5 (+/- 2.9 SD) years. Clinical examination included the assessment of dental plaque, gingival inflammation (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and number of teeth. GCF was collected with an intracrevicular washing technique from four sites in each subject. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cortisol with radioimmunoassay (125I RIA). Analysis of covariance (one-way covariance analyses) was used to remove the influence of age and smoking.

RESULTS

The amount of plaque was significantly higher in patients compared to controls (P<0.003). The patients had an average GI of 1.53 (+/-0.13 SD) compared to 0.89 (+/- 0.10 SD) for the controls (P< 0.001). The levels of cortisol in GCF was significantly higher in patients than in controls, 3.46 nmol/l (+/- 3.25 SD) and 0.30 nmol/l (+/- 0.25 SD), respectively (P<0.001), whereas cortisol in saliva did not differ between groups. The levels of IL-6 in GCF were significantly higher in the patients than in controls (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Women with stress-related depression and exhaustion had more plaque accumulation, GI and increased levels of IL-6 and cortisol in GCF compared to normal controls, suggesting that depression might affect immune function, which could lead to impaired periodontal health.

Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment: Psychosocial Factors and Treatment Outcomes

BACKGROUND

This research explored how patients with surgical versus non-surgical periodontal treatment differ in trait anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and well-being on the day of surgery and in their reported pain and use of pain medication 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. In addition, it was investigated how psychosocial factors affected reported pain, use of pain medication, and wound healing.

METHODS

Data were collected from 70 dental patients (34 males and 36 females; average age: 54.79 years; SD=13.206) on the day of their periodontal treatment and 2 and 4 weeks after this treatment. The psychosocial factors (i.e., trait anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and well-being) were measured with standardized scales. The patients' providers assessed their wound healing 2 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS

On the day of treatment, non-surgical patients had higher anxiety, depression, and stress, and poorer well-being than surgical patients. However, surgical patients reported a higher level of pain during the second week, and greater consumption of analgesics during the second and fourth week. Anxiety, depression, stress, and well-being correlated with the reported level of pain, the use of pain medication, and wound healing after periodontal treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychosocial factors (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, and well-being) can affect the patients' quality of life on the day of periodontal treatment and the pain experience and medications used after surgical and non-surgical periodontal therapy (4-week period). Patient-provider communication should address the role of these factors in the treatment process.

Association between psychosocial factors and periodontitis: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

This case-control study investigated the association between life events, anxiety, and depression with periodontitis.

METHODOLOGY

The study counted with 165 individuals, both sexes, 35-60 years of age. Case group included 96 individuals suffering from periodontal disease; and in control group 69 subjects with no history of periodontitis. Clinical examinations were performed by a single examiner. Psychological assessment included four inventories: Life Events Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to compare cases and controls.

RESULTS

Mean probing depth and clinical attachment level were 3.44+/-0.80 and 4.01+/-1.61 in the case group and 1.96+/-0.19 and 0.95+/-0.50 in the control group, respectively (p<0.05). Positive association of periodontitis with age (odds ratio (OR)=1.15 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.24), male gender (OR=2.71, CI: 1.13-6.49), smoking (OR=6.05, CI: 1.67-21.94) and educational level (OR=6.49, CI: 1.14-36.95) was confirmed. Bivariate analysis did not demonstrate significant mean differences in life events, anxiety symptoms, trait or state of anxiety, or depression symptoms between cases and controls. Multivariate logistic regression, controlling for confounding factors, demonstrated no significant association between psychosocial factors and periodontal disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limits of this study it is possible to conclude that there was no significant association between periodontitis and the psychosocial factors analysed.

Controlled clinical and psychometric studies on the relation between periodontitis and depressive mood

BACKGROUND

Depressive mood is considered a risk factor for the development of periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES

Investigation of the relationship between periodontitis and psychopathology utilizing psychometry (both observer- and self-rating scales).

METHODS

Forty periodontitis patients were compared with 41 age- and sex-matched controls. The percentage of smokers was similar in both groups (30% versus 24.4%). Dental variables included probing depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), radiographic loss of attachment, papillary bleeding index (PBI) and approximal plaque index (API). Psychometry comprised the Hamilton Depression Scale, the Zung Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety Scales, the von Zerssen Well-being and Complaint Scales, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Quality-of-Life Index, crystallized intelligence and the Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI).

RESULTS

Multifactorial analysis of variance demonstrated increased depression and anxiety scores, reduced well-being, increased somatic complaints, deteriorated quality of life and introversion in periodontitis. Partial correlation analyses between psychometric measures and dental variables revealed positive correlations of periodontal disease severity/CAL with the depression/anxiety, subjective well-being and complaints scores, and a negative correlation with quality of life. The API was negatively correlated with social orientation, and the CAL was positively correlated with somatic complaints and introversion in the FPI.

CONCLUSION

Our clinical-psychometric studies confirm depressive mood as a relevant pathogenetic factor for periodontitis.