Blood pressure, blood sugar and gingival crevicular fluid volume in adult females with malocclusion in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) may be a valuable adjunct in the initial diagnosis and assessment of the severity of periodontal disease in patients with hypertension and diabetes. The GCF volume may be used to monitor and plan appropriate dental treatment and prevent progression of disease in adult patients with malocclusion who have hypertension or diabetes. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the volume and correlation between blood pressure, blood sugar and GCF volume in adult females with malocclusion in Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 152 fasting women aged 26–65 years were divided into two groups as follows: Group 1: Malocclusion; n = 82 (54%) (crowding - 41, spacing – 39 and anterior open bite - 2) and Group 2: Normal occlusion; n = 70 (46%). Blood pressure and blood sugar values were obtained and the GCF volume measured. Correlations between age, gender, probing depth, malocclusion, blood pressure, blood sugar and GCF volume were determined using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 16) software. Significant values of P Results: The highest GCF volume in the total sample studied was 2.17 μL in 1.3% and the most prevalent was seen in 0.62 μL in 42.8%. GCF volumes of 0.93 μL were most prevalent in crowding in 14.6% and in 0.62 μL in spacing in 9.9%. Furthermore, a GCF volume of 0.62 μL was highest in blood pressure of 121/89 mmHg in 9.9% and blood sugar levels of 80–120 mg/dl in 25% of subjects, respectively. Malocclusion (crowding, spacing and anterior open bite) exhibited a higher number 45.1% in GCF volume of 0.62 μL. There was, however, no significant relationship between blood pressure, blood sugar and GCF volume (P > 0.05) in both the malocclusion and control groups. There was also a statistically significant difference between GCF volume and pocket depth (P Conclusion: This study revealed that blood pressure and blood sugar levels in adult females with malocclusion do not affect GCF volume. A positive correlation, however, exists between GCF volume, pocket depth and oral hygiene in Benin City.