PERIODONTAL INVOLVEMENT ATTRIBUTABLE TO CIGARETTE SMOKING IN AN ADULT POPULATION FROM CONSTANTA

Aim: The present study assesses the percentages of cases with deep pockets attributable to cigarette smoking in an adult urban population from Constanta. Methods: A randomly-selected sample comprising 483 dentate individuals from 528 eligible individuals for the survey was chosen among patients addressing for dental treatment in Constanta Dental Faculty. A full-mouth clinical examination was performed and an interview using a structured written questionnaire was undertaken. A multivariate analysis for complex surveys was performed, and adjusted for age, gender, plaque index and dental calculus index. The null hypothesis was no significant clinical differences regarding plaque deposits, calculus accumulation and pocket depth between smokers and non-smokers. Results: Overall, 47% of this adult population, or 219 individuals have been exposed to cigarette smoking. In the youngest age group, under 35 years old, 55% are current smokers, the highest prevalence of smoking compared with the other age groups. The mean age of the study group is 38,39 years (SD 17,78), with a mean of 43,39 years (SD 19,43) in non-smokers group and 32,20 years (SD 13,32) in the smokers group. Positive differences were found between plaque depositions in smokers, which exhibit higher plaque accumulation (P=0,0095) compared with non-smokers. Significant statistical differences (Wilcoxon test) were found between levels of calculus accumulation in total study group smokers compared with non-smokers P=0,0034, the smoking habit being associated with higher calculus accumulation. The periodontal disease attributable fraction (AF) for the whole study group is 46,24%, with the value of 38,54% in adults <35 years old. The population attributable risk (PAR) to develop deep pockets due to smoking is higher in individuals 35-44 years old (0,11) as compared with other age groups. The population attributable fraction (PAF) has highest value in individuals 35-44 years old (55,65%). Conclusion: Cigarette smoking was associated with plaque and calculus accumulations, deep pocket formation and adult periodontitis in this study population, and a significant percentage of cases could have been prevented if smoking cessation interventions had been implemented.