Impact of different settings in periodontitis prevalence

Abstract

Methods: The sample consisted of 200 pregnant women from a database. A Medline search was conducted to identify studies that evaluated the association between periodontitis and gestational diabetes. Periodontitis case definitions used in the retrieved studies were applied in the sample. The frequency ofperiodontitis among the different diagnostic criteria was compared through the Chi-square test. Results: After conducting a search, analysis, and selection from the literature, nine studies were included in the present study. Three studies showed the same criteria. As a result, seven different periodontitis definitions were identified. The frequency of periodontitis in the sample ranged from 24.5% to 72.5%. Conclusion: The prevalence of periodontitis greatly varies when different diagnostic criteria are used. The standardization of periodontitis casedefinitions in epidemiological studies is crucial for a better comparison among the studies and improvement of the results.Uniterms: Gestational diabetes. Periodontitis. Epidemiology.