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- Title
A longitudinal study of <em>Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans</em> in army recruits.
- Authors
Müller, H.-P.; Eger, T.; Lobinsky, D.; Hoffmann, S.; Zöller, L.
- Abstract
During recruiting examinations 201 recruits, 18-25 yr old, were examined for sbgingival and extracrevicular <em>Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans</em>. The organism was isolated in 55 subjects, most often at low levels. Cluster analysis revealed 3 clusters with no (A, n = 86) or minor (B, n = 92) periodontal disease and low DMF-S, as well as established periodontitis, increased D + DF-S and high DMF-S (C, n = 22). When leaving the 12-months' service, 105 recruits were re-examined (54 cluster A, 41 cluster B, 9 cluster C subjects, 1 recruit who was not clustered). An increase of periodontal probing depth (PPD) of ≥3 mm at 1 or more sites occurred in 33 subjects: 9 (17%) in cluster A, 16 (39%) in cluster B, 7 (78%) in cluster C and in the not-clustered recruit. Considerable variation in frequency distributions of PPD alterations was observed, therefore significant (p < 0.1) mean increase (1-sample <em>t</em>-test) and skew <em>g</em>1 (S-statistic were additionally considered to define an "active" case. A total of 7 recruits (6.7%) met the criteria. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant influence of self-reported smoking habits on activity status. Thus, heavy smokers (> 20 cigarettes/d) had a 14-fold higher risk (p=0.030) for developing or progressing periodontitis compared to non- or light smokers (< 10 cigarettes/d). In particular, cluster B recruits appeared to have a lower risk (p=0.11) for developing periodontitis than cluster C recruits (established periodontitis, high DMF-S). <em>A. actinomycetemcomitans </em> was isolated in 29 recruits (27.6%) at baseline and 30 recruits (28.6%) after 12 months. Presence of the organism was not a risk factor for periodontitis. However, in active subjects, significantly more samples were only <em>A. actinomycetemcomitans</em>-positive at re-examination compared to inactive recruits. It was concluded that smoking is a significant risk factor for periodontitis. Subjects with established periodontitis tend to deteriorate further. <em>A. actinomycetemcomitans</em> seems not to increase the risk for developing or progressing periodontitis in this age group. Longer studies involving large populations are needed to confirm these observations.
- Subjects
ACTINOBACILLUS; CLUSTER analysis (Statistics); STATISTICAL correlation; PERIODONTITIS; ACTINOMYCETALES; ACTINOMYCES
- Publication
Journal of Periodontal Research, 1997, Vol 32, Issue 1, p69
- ISSN
0022-3484
- Publication type
Report
- DOI
10.1111/j.1600-0765.1997.tb01384.x