Prevalence and associated factors of periodontal conditions among 55- to 74-year-old adults in China: results from the 4th National Oral Health Survey.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess periodontal health conditions among 55- to 74-year-old Chinese people and to analyze the factors associated with periodontal diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 9054 subjects aged 55-74 years were enrolled from all 31 provinces using a stratified multistage probability sampling method, autonomous regions and municipalities of the Chinese mainland, the response rate was 86.9%. All subjects underwent clinical examinations on the severest site for every tooth and completed a questionnaire that collected information on their sociodemographic characteristics and oral habits. T tests, chi-square tests and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The percentage of people without bleeding on probing, probing depth ≥ 4 mm and attachment loss > 3 mm was 5.0 and 9.3% in the 55- to 64-year-old and the 65- to 74-year-old age group. The prevalence of bleeding on probing was 88.4% among 55 to 64 years old and 82.6% among 65 to 74 years old. Mean number of teeth with bleeding on probing were 13.87 among 55 to 64 years old and 11.25 among 65 to 74 years old. The prevalence of probing depth ≥ 4 mm and attachment loss > 3 mm were 69.3 and 69.9% in people aged 55-64 years and were 64.6 and 74.2% in people aged 65-74 years. Mean number of teeth with probing depth = 4-5 mm and probing depth ≥ 6 mm were 4.48 and 0.36 in 55-64 age group and 3.70 and 0.33 in 65-74 age group. And mean number of teeth with attachment loss > 3 mm were 5.17 among 55 to 64 years old and 5.63 among 65 to 74 years old. Besides, attachment loss > 3 mm was associated with age, gender, smoking, toothbrushing frequency and toothpick use.

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontitis was not highly prevalent among 55- to 74-year-old Chinese adults. Age, gender, smoking, toothbrushing frequency and toothpick use could be risk factors.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Scientific rationale for the study: The periodontal conditions among 55 to 64 and 65 to 74 years old Chinese population were not highly serious, but prevalence of bleeding on probing, periodontal pockets and attachment loss should be drawn enough attention by relevant public health administrations.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The prevalence of periodontal diseases was evaluated in 55- to 64-year-old and 65- to 74-year-old subjects in a nationally representative Chinese sample population. The prevalence of probing depth ≥ 4 mm and AL > 3 mm were high; these values were 69.3% and 69.9%, respectively, in the 55-64 age group and 64.6% and 74.2%, respectively, in the 65-74 age group. In addition, case percentage of AL = 4-5 mm combined with PD < 6 mm were 23.1 and 19.4% among 55- to 64-year-old and 65- to 74-year-old people. And case percentage of AL> 5 mm combined with PD ≥ 6 mm were 11.1% and 12.1% among 55- to 64-year-old and 65- to 74-year-old people, respectively.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The present study provides a reference for the epidemiological analysis of periodontal diseases. To reduce widespread inadequate treatment of periodontal diseases, clinical management should be performed in dental practices. Furthermore, oral health recommendations should be made at multiple levels.