Impact of Socioeconomic Determinants and Lifestyle Factors on the Severity of Periodontal Diseases in Adults

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The association between periodontal diseases with socioeconomic and lifestyle factors is multifaceted. The disparities are also well recognized. The present study aims to assess the impact of socioeconomic determinants, oral hygiene practices, and lifestyle factors on the severity of probing depths and bleeding on probing in Nepalese adults.  Methods: A total of 374 adults were included in the analysis. Independent associations of socio-demographic, oral hygiene, and lifestyle factors on dependent variables of bleeding on probing and severe periodontitis defined as ≥6 mm probing depth were determined using the chi-squared test/Fisher's exact test with multivariate and ordinal logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 42.40±12.51 years. The occurrence of periodontal disease was found to be 62.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed that poor oral hygiene had a markedly increased likelihood of bleeding on probing. Bivariate analysis of probing depths revealed age, bleeding on probing, and oral hygiene status, along with lifestyle factors such as smoking and smokeless tobacco, to be statistically significant with severe probing depths. There was also an elevated risk of severe probing depths among individuals of lower socioeconomic status and their determinants. The results, however, were not statistically significant. Ordinal regression analysis revealed age with an estimate of 1.286 (p=0.001), bleeding on probing with an estimate of 0.811 (p=0.030), and additionally lifestyle factors such as current smokers with an estimate of 0.991 (p=0.002) to have a risk of severe probing depths among reported individuals. CONCLUSION: Poor oral hygiene and unfavorable lifestyle factors such as smoking were strongly associated with bleeding on probing and severe probing depths. This indicates that while deep pockets are prevalent, their association with lower socioeconomic status and other lifestyle factors did not show significant changes.