Demographic, Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Patients with Periodontitis in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is a global health problem and plays a major role in both oral and systemic health. The aim of the study was to assess the demographic, clinical features and, the association of six periodontopathogens of periodontitis in patients in Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among systemically healthy patients with periodontitis at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Participants completed a semi-structured questionnaire and underwent a full periodontal examination. Subgingival dental plaque biofilm was assessed for the presence of six periodontopathogens using both culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data were analyzed with SPSS to determine the association of demographic, behavioural, clinical, and microbiological features with the severity of the disease.

Results: Forty-two patients were recruited with a mean age of 56.7 ± 13.4 years. The peak age group was 40 - 59 years (61.9%). Most of them (71.4%) brushed their teeth once a day, with only a few (11.9%) having good oral hygiene. The mean periodontal probing depth of diseased sites was 5.53 ± 0.98mm. A little over half of them (52.4%) had localized periodontitis. Very few (9.5%) of the patients had severe periodontitis. All six periodontopathogens were detected and Porphyromonas gingivalis was the most commonly occurring (17.6%) in deep periodontal probing sites (≥7mm) in severe periodontitis. 

Conclusion: In this study, periodontitis was more common in males and the middle-aged. Oral hygiene practices and oral hygiene were poor. Severe periodontitis was not a common feature of periodontitis. The majority of the periodontopathogens were detected in mild/moderate periodontitis.

Keywords: Periodontitis, oral hygiene, periodontopathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Nigeria