ABSTRACT: 2684

Periodontal Therapy and Prematurity/Low Birth Weight - An Alternative Methodological Approach

I.S. GOMES-FILHO¹, S.S.D. CRUZ¹, N.P.D. COSTA², E.B. VEECK², P.H.C. SOUZA³, J.D.S. PASSOS¹, E.D.M.M. CERQUEIRA¹, F.P. SAMPAIO¹, D.C. OLIVEIRA¹, E.C. PEREIRA¹, P.T.J. BRANDÃO¹, C.A.D.S.T. SANTOS¹, and M.D.C.N. COSTA⁴, ¹Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana - Bahia, Brazil, ²Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre - Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, ³Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba - Parana, Brazil, ⁴Bahia Federal University, Salvador - Bahia, Brazil
Objectives: This study had the aim of showing an alternative methodological approach consisting of using a non-random experimental design with multiple controls, to evaluate the association between periodontal therapy and prematurity/low birth weight (PLBW). Methods: The sample consisted of 234 pregnant women: 54 in the Experimental Group (treated for Periodontal Disease, PD), 68 in Control Group I (without PD) and 112 in Control Group II (historical control group with untreated PD). The diagnosis of PD was established following a complete clinical periodontal examination, using measurements of probing depth, gingival recession and hyperplasia, clinical attachment loss and bleeding on probing. The Experimental Group was treated for periodontitis and followed with periodontal maintenance therapy throughout pregnancy. After delivery, the women's periodontal status was reevaluated and the newborn's gestational age and weight were obtained. Descriptive, stratified and logistic regression analyses were applied. Proportions were compared using the chi-squared and Fisher tests. Association measurements (RR) with and without adjustment for confounding factors and controlled for effect modifiers were obtained (significance level of 5%). Results: The unadjusted measurement for Control Group I was RRunadjusted = 0.60; 95%CI: 0.33 to 1.09; after adjustment it was RRadjusted = 0.57; 95%CI: 0.31 to 1.03. For Control Group II, the unadjusted RR was 1.92 (95%CI: 1.15 to 3.2), which remained statistically significant after adjustment (RRadjusted = 2.13; 95%CI: 1.30 to 3.48). Conclusions: The results showed that the frequency of PLBW among the women treated for PD was similar to that found in the group with no disease. Furthermore, comparison with a group of women not treated for PD showed that the frequency of low birth weight in the latter group was higher than that observed in the Experimental Group, thus suggesting that periodontal therapy is a protective factor for childbirth of normal gestational age and weight. FAPESB/SECTI/SESAB/UEFS
Seq #240 - Periodontal Infections and Health Outcomes 3:30 PM-4:45 PM, Friday, July 4, 2008 Metro Toronto Convention Centre Exhibit Hall D-E
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