Gingival overgrowth and associated factors in a population of Nigerian hypertensives

Abstract

Background: Gingival overgrowth may be idiopathic or secondary. Drug Induced Gingival Overgrowth (DIGO) occurs within 3 months of treatment and is more prevalent in younger age group with predilection for the anterior gingival tissue and usually not associated with attachment loss or tooth mobility unless there is an existing periodontal disease. Methodology: 170 hypertensive patients were recruited for the study; 85 calcium channel blocker (CCB) and 85 non-CCB users. Interviewer-administered questionnaires was used to obtain socio-demographic information as well as medical and drug history. GO was assessed using New Clinical Index for DIGO and data was analyzed with SPSS version 21 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). Continuous and nominal variables were described with means, standard deviations and frequencies. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Amlodipine was the most commonly used CCB. The prevalence of DIGO in CCB and non-CCB was the same (49.5%). Gingival enlargement was found equally among both sexes in the CCB and non-CCB groups. A third of the participants with GO were 70 years and above while those without were majorly in the fifth and sixth decade of life. Two-third of those with DIGO had fair oral hygiene status, two-fifth had gingival bleeding and three-fifth had mild gingival inflammation. Those without DIGO in both groups had a slight female predominance and majorly good oral hygiene. Associated factors with DIGO were female sex, 60-69 age group, 10mg drug dosage, been on medication less than 10 years, mild gingival inflammation and generalized gingivitis. Conclusion: There was no difference in the prevalence of DIGO between BBC and non-BBC users. However, there was mild gingival inflammation in all participants with DIGO and amlodipine users were three times more at risk of developing DIGO than nifedipine users. Thus, it is imperative to advise the hypertensives on the importance of maintaining adequate oral hygiene measures and incorporate periodontal care in their management so as to ameliorate the side effects of their medication.