Periodontitis associated with tobacco smoking among rural Khon Kaen Thai males: analysis of two data sets.

BACKGROUND

Periodontitis is a common disease-related reason for tooth extraction. Although several studies have related tobacco smoking to periodontitis among other populations, not many investigations concerning the relationship between tobacco smoking and periodontitis among rural northeastern Thai people have been conducted although tobacco smoking is a common practice among these Thai people.

OBJECTIVE

The present study used two existing data sets to evaluate the association between tobacco smoking and periodontitis among rural Khon Kaen Thai males.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional analytic study.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The study populations for phase I and phase II comprised a total of 625 males, aged 30-89 years, residing in five districts of Khon Kaen province, Thailand during 1990-91 and 1,218 males, aged 33-86 years, residing in Chonnabot district, Khon Kaen province, Thailand during 1992-94, respectively. The data were obtained through oral examination and interview. The analyses employed descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Findings from final multivariable logistic regression models identified tobacco smoking as a risk indicator for periodontitis in the presence of several factors in the final models including age, gingival bleeding, debris deposits, and missing teeth.

CONCLUSION

It is evident that tobacco smoking is a risk indicator for periodontitis and that tobacco smoking, which is directly associated with periodontitis among these populations, could enhance the possibility of increasing periodontitis and tooth extraction. Therefore, targeted interventions aimed at encouraging people to quit smoking tobacco would help in maintain favorable oral health.