Is Periodontitis Independently Associated with Potentially Malignant Disorders of the Oral Cavity?

Abstract

Objective: To examine if periodontitis is independently associated with oral potentially malignant disorders<br />(OPMD) in a rural Indian adult population aged 35-54 years. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was<br />conducted in rural India from 2011 to 2012. Multistage stratified cluster random sampling was followed to recruit 1401<br />participants aged 35-54 years. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data on sociodemographic factors,<br />tobacco and alcohol use. Oral examinations were done to record OPMD, periodontal findings and missing teeth.<br />Univariate, bivariate and multivariable analyses were achieved using SPSS version 16 Chicago, SPSS Inc. OPMDs<br />(leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and suspicious malignant lesion) whether present or absent<br />were selected as outcome variables; age, sex, socioeconomic factors, smoking, tobacco-chewing status, alcohol use,<br />and periodontitis were considered as the predictor variables. Results: Among 873 participants, 44 demonstrated 47<br />lesions. Leukoplakia (n=21), erythroplakia (n=3), OSF (n=21), and suspicious malignant lesions (n=2) were present,<br />strongly associated with past tobacco-chewing status [OR=9.22 (2.57-33.15)], current tobacco-chewing status [OR=15.49<br />(6.20-38.74)] and moderate/severe periodontitis [OR=3.19 (1.11-9.12)]. Conclusion: Periodontitis is a risk indicator for<br />OPMD, independent of socioeconomic factors and tobacco-chewing. Tobacco-chewing status, both past and current,<br />was strongly associated with OPMD in our rural Indian population.