AIM OF THE STUDY:
The aim of the study is to find, whether the presence of systemic autoimmune diseases in an individual is a risk factor for the development of Periodontal disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A sample of 253 patients with Systemic autoimmune diseases,
attending the Rheumatology department of Madras Medical College and Government General Hospital, Chennai-3 and 262 patients without Systemic autoimmune diseases, attending the outpatient department of the Tamilnadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai -3 constituted the case and
control groups. Age, gender and Oral hygiene status matching was done. Oral hygiene status was assessed using Oral Hygiene Index original and Periodontal status was assessed using Community Periodontal Index in association with
Loss of Attachment Index. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 15.
RESULTS:
Results showed 99.2% and 73.9% prevalence of gingivitis and
periodontitis respectivelyin the case group as compared to 85.5% and 14.9% in the control group. Results also showed no linear relationship between oral hygiene scores (OHI-original) and prevalence of periodontitis (CPI & LOA
scores) in case group.
CONCLUSION:
Patients suffering from systemic autoimmune diseases showed more prevalence of periodontal diseases irrespective of oral hygiene scores. Hence one may assume that the presence of systemic autoimmune diseases in a patient leads to risk in development of periodontal disease. Conversely in patients with periodontal disease with no local factors, one must rule out any undiagnosed systemic autoimmune diseases