DT News - UK - Barts study on severe periodontitis reveals looming crisis

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 6 October 2014

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LONDON, UK: Figures by the National Health Service indicate that at least one in 15 adults in the UK currently suffers from the most severe form of periodontal disease. Worldwide, the situation looks even more devastating with the condition to be found in roughly 11 per cent of the earth’s population. An international review published by researchers from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and dental institutions in Australia and US in the Journal for Dental Research has recently provided the first insights into the global dynamics of the disease and where it is most prevelant.

According to the paper, prevalence as well as incidence of severe periodontitis was reportedly highest in East Sub-Saharan Africa and most parts of South America. Several countries including Australia, Indonesia or Greece, among others, also ranked below the global average.

Regions with low occurrence were North America, followed by developed countries in the Asia Pacific region, as well as Oceania and Western Europe.

While no statistically relevant difference could be found between genders, the researchers said the condition seemed to increase with age throughout all surveyed countries. Hence, people at age 38 and beyond are most at risk for developing severe periodontitis.

Overall, the study found that more than 700 new cases per 100,000 people worldwide add to the already large burden of severe periodontitis every year, which makes the condition rank among the six most prevalent diseases worldwide.

If untreated, it can lead not only to physical pain and psychological discomfort, but also to functional limitation, as well as physical and psychological disabilities, according to the author, Director of Research at Barts Health NHS Trust Prof. Wagner Marcenes, who headed the study.

“The number of severe periodontitis cases has increased dramatically between 1990 and 2010. Since we did not include other types of periodontitis such as its mild and moderate forms, we are facing an even more serious problem in the population’s oral health,” he commented on the results.

He said that the data are currently being evaluated further to find out what might cause this high prevalence including socio-economic indicators and other risk factors.

One of the largest assessment ever conducted on the disease, the review was looking at epidemiological data from more than 70 studies involving 300,000 patients from 37 countries. While it provides insight into the realities of the disease, according to the researchers, the results will have to be treated with caution owing to the problem on how to actually measure periodontal disease. A new standard introduced by the American Academy of Periodontology and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in 2007, for example, made it difficult to compare any data collected prior.

In the report, the researchers indicated any site with Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs = 4, clinical attachment of larger than 6mm and pocket depth of 5 as periodontitis.

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