Original Article

Awareness on the Effects of Periodontal Diseases on the General Health of Individuals with Systemic Diseases and Determination of Influential Factors

10.4274/meandros.galenos.2019.75537

  • Gülhan Kocaman

Received Date: 20.05.2019 Accepted Date: 09.08.2019 Meandros Med Dent J 2020;21(1):47-53

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the level of awareness regarding the effect of systemic diseases on periodontal diseases among individuals with systemic diseases.

Materials and Methods:

This descriptive study was carried out on 200 patients with systemic diseases (100 men, 100 women; age, 18-65 years) who presented to the internal medicine, rheumatology, and cardiology departments and oral health polyclinics. A questionnaire including 15 questions about personal information, socio-demographic characteristics and level of awareness about periodontal diseases was administered to the participants. They were asked to select among the three responses, “Agree”, “Disagree” or “Undecided”, for each statement.

Results:

This study found that the level of knowledge of approximately 68% of the participants regarding the relationship between systemic diseases and periodontal diseases was not sufficient, and their level of awareness was significantly low. The level of knowledge was significantly affected by educational level, frequency of tooth brushing and previous oral hygiene education (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Periodontal diseases are in Two-way interaction with some systemic diseases. An increase in the level of knowledge will positively affect the course of the disease and will improve the quality of life. Therefore, patients with systemic diseases should be given oral hygiene training in both primary health care centres and oral health centres.

Keywords: Periodontal disease, systemic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases

Introduction

Periodontal diseases (gum disease) are diseases that result in destruction of hard and soft tissue that progress with a number of host-microorganism reactions initiated by dental plaque microorganisms (1). Destruction of tissues takes place by two mechanisms, either directly or indirectly. The response of individuals to periodontal pathogens varies. This is because periodontal diseases vary in each individual in terms of progression, severity and time of onset (2). These individual differences may also be associated with family history of systemic disease. Genetic factors, environmental factors and systemic diseases are the factors that affect and change the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases and the response of the host to treatment (3). On the other hand, it has been suggested that periodontal diseases are infectious and chronic in nature, and thus, they may alter local and systemic host response to pathogens which affect the general health of the individual and the course of some systemic diseases (4). Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are the leading causes of systemic diseases where interrelationships are mostly observed. It is emphasized that periodontal diseases, particularly severe and advanced ones, are related to diabetes and cardiovascular system diseases (3-5).

There is a relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal diseases because they both are chronic inflammatory diseases, there is soft and hard tissue destruction in the course of both diseases, and high proinflammatory cytokine levels are present in both (6,7). The relationship between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular system diseases is defined as occurrence of systemic inflammation, which starts as a local inflammatory attack (8).

It is thought that periodontitis and diabetes share a common pathogenesis with increasing inflammatory response on the local and systemic levels, and they are known to have reciprocal relations (9). Diabetes may cause some complications such as disorders of blood circulation in various organs and tissues, disorders of oxygen diffusion in local tissues, thickening of capillary and basal membranes, inability to remove metabolic wastes and defects in cellular and humoral immune responses (10). As these complications are similar to the pathophysiology of periodontal diseases, periodontitis is considered to be a complication of diabetes, and there is a two-way relationship between diabetes and periodontitis (11,12). Additionally, advanced glycation end-products formed after high blood sugar levels are thought to play a role in development of the chronic complications of diabetes (13).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness level about periodontal diseases among patients who have systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis and have been treated and followed up at cardiology, internal medicine and rheumatology outpatient clinics along with the factors effecting this awareness.


Materials and methods

The descriptive study was initiated with the approval of the Non-interventional Clinical Studies Ethics Committee (date: 01/11/2017, decision no: 10/9) of Karabük University. Informed consent was obtained from individuals who voluntarily participated in the study after explaining the aims and benefits of the study and their roles in the study.

The study included a total of 200 patients, 100 males and 100 females, diagnosed with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or cardiovascular system disorders (coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infections, stroke-related diseases such as coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infections and stroke).

In this study, a questionnaire containing 15 items was prepared based on a literature review. The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, oral and dental health characteristics and statements aimed at measuring the level of knowledge of the participants on periodontal diseases. The items in the questionnaire were presented to the participants in the form of a complete sentence, which could be true or false, and the participants were asked to answer these statements as “Agree” or “Disagree”. The correct answers were scored as 1, and the incorrect and incomplete ones were graded as 0. The total score for each participant was obtained based on their cumulative score across 15 questions. The knowledge level and awareness of those who scored less than half, i.e. 0-7, were considered insufficient.


Statistical Analyses

Percentages, One-way ANOVA, student’s t-test and Tukey’s mean separation test were used to analyze the data obtained in the study. The Minitab and Microsoft Excel programs were used for all statistical analyses. A p-value of <0.05 was accepted as the cut off value for statistical significance.


Results

The mean age of 200 individuals (100 females, 100 males) included in the study was 56.13±9.8 (Minimum:19, Maximum:77). Among these individuals, 120 (60%) were married and 80 (40%) were single. It was determined that 126 individuals (63.0%) had primary education, 37 (18.5%) were high school graduates, and 37 (18.5%) were university graduates. It was observed that 21 individuals (10.5%) had low, 118 individuals (59.0%) had moderate and 61 individuals (30.5%) had high income levels. Among the patients, 130 (65.0%) had never smoked, 22 (11.0%) had smoked but quitted recently, and 48 (24.0%) were smoking. When the systemic disease statuses of the individuals were examined, we observed that 62 individuals (31.0%) had cardiovascular system diseases, 111 individuals (55.5%) had diabetes, and 27 participants (13.5%) had rheumatoid arthritis (Table 1).

It was found that 52 patients (26.0%) brushed their teeth several times a day, 104 patients (52.0%) brushed their teeth several times a week, and 44 patients (22.0%) brushed their teeth several times a month. 98 patients (49.0%) reported that they did not have enough knowledge about oral and dental health, while 102 patients (51.0%) reported that they had sufficient knowledge about oral and dental health. A total of 130 (65.0%) participants had prostheses (Table 2).

A total of 13 items about the relationship between periodontal diseases and systemic diseases were directed to the participants (Table 3). Only 45 participants (22.5%) responded correctly to the statement “Gum disease affects the overall body”. One-hundred participants (50.0%) did not have any knowledge, and (Table 3) 67 (33.5) participants selected the correct response for the statement “gum disease increases the number of microbes in the body by means of blood” .

When the scores obtained from questioning the participants knowledge on the relationship of periodontal disease-systemic disease were analyzed, it was determined that the ratio of participants who scored 0-7 points was 68% (Table 4).

When the total score of periodontal diseases-systemic diseases knowledge statements were compared to the other variables, it was determined that the level of knowledge was not affected by gender. Nevertheless, the total score was significantly affected by the level of oral hygiene education, highest education level and tooth brushing frequency. The awareness of the participants was found to be significantly low (Table 5).


Discussion

Taking necessary measures for periodontal diseases in the presence of systemic diseases and preventing them from occurring are important goals for public health (14). Furthermore, oral and dental health is an important factor that directly affects the quality of life and satisfaction of the individual, which should not be considered apart from general systemic health (15). We evaluated the knowledge and awareness levels of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infections, and stroke) in the light of the literature.

We determined that the participants’ levels of knowledge and awareness were significantly low. The relationship between periodontal diseases and systemic diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy complications is known. However, it is evident that it is necessary to disseminate this information, and failure to do so may adversely affect public health (16,17).

In their study, Granados-Principal et al. (18) reported that periodontal diseases are have a reciprocal relationship with cardiovascular diseases, and physicians of both branches should work together considering the common risk factors in these two types of diseases. Kinane and Lowe (19) found a common set of predisposing factors for periodontal diseases and cardiovascular diseases in a study that targeted underlying factors of both diseases, and they argued that both disorders affected each other. In our study, it was evident that the rate of correct answers to the knowledge-related statements was low, and the level of knowledge and awareness of the participating individuals about the bidirectional relationship between periodontal status and cardiovascular disease was quite low.

In their comparative study, Özkan et al. (20) reported that the patients with rheumatoid arthritis had a higher risk of periodontal disease compared to healthy individuals. In order to promote motivation for periodontal and oral care in rheumatoid arthritis patients, they suggested informing patients regarding the bidirectional relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal health. They also emphasized the use of mechanical cleaning assistive devices such as electric toothbrushes, irrigation devices, chlorhexidine and fluorinated mouthwashes for oral care. In our study, it was determined that patients with rheumatoid arthritis had low levels of knowledge about periodontal diseases, and they did not have sufficient knowledge and awareness about the existence of a relationship between existing systemic disorders and periodontal health. Potempa et al. (21) stated that patients with rheumatoid arthritis should be given a detailed protective dentistry service and emphasized the importance of acquisition and maintenance of periodontal health in such patients.

Poyrazoğlu et al. (22) concluded that all diabetic patients should have regular oral examinations, especially periodontal examinations, and patients and their families should be educated in this regard. Acıpınar et al. (23) stated that there is a bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and diabetes, and they trigger each other. Thus, they emphasized that treatment of periodontal disease should be a part of diabetes treatment.

In our study, the level of awareness of diabetic patients about periodontal health knowledge and the bidirectional relationship between periodontal health and diabetes were investigated, and their awareness and knowledge levels were found to be very low. In parallel with the literature, we think that patients and their families should be informed more on oral and periodontal health and directed to routine dental checkups.

However, as limitations of our study, the low level of education in Turkish society and random formation of individuals in the studied population caused a disproportionate distribution of education levels. Additionally, since there were no conditions for oral findings and dental indices of the patients at internal medicine and cardiology outpatient clinics, their levels of knowledge and current oral statuses could not be discussed. Considering these limitations, it is useful to carry out further studies with larger samples.


Conclusion

Oral health disorders, periodontal diseases and general systemic diseases are very common health problems in Turkish society, and they affect quality of life negatively. Oral health, especially periodontal health, has a two-way interaction with some systemic diseases. As evident in this study, the awareness levels of the participants on the relationship between periodontal diseases and systemic diseases and relationship between periodontal diseases and general health were low. In patients with these types of systemic disease, training should be given on periodontal diseases, and appropriate treatments should be provided when necessary. Dentists and medical doctors should work in coordination in management of this bidirectional relationship.


Ethics

Ethics Committee Approval: The descriptive study was initiated with the approval of the Non-Interventional Clinical Studies Ethics Committee of Karabük University (decision no: 10/9, date: 01/11/2017).

Informed Consent: Informed consent was obtained from individuals who voluntarily participated in the study after explaining the aims and benefits of the study and their roles in the study.

Peer-review: Externally peer-reviewed.

Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study received no financial support.

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