Relationship of Periodontal Status and Physical Fitness in Bangladeshi population

Objective: Little is known whether physical fitness is associated with decrease in periodontal health in an elderly population. The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship of periodontal status with physical fitness in a elderly population in Bangladesh.

Methods: The study was carried out on 414 individuals, aged 41-70 years, having 20 or more teeth, who came for treatment in Dhaka Dental College and Hospital, Bangladesh. Handgrip strength (HGS, kg), one-leg standing time with open eyes (OLST, seconds), and BMI (body mass index) were measured. Information on age, sex, education, household status, sleeping time (hrs/day) and self-assessed masticatory ability were obtained by questionnaires. Eichner index and periodontal condition including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and bleeding on probing (BOP) at six sites of all teeth present were recorded. The levels of plaque accumulation were recorded using the Plaque Index (PI). Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness (HGS and OLST) and periodontal health.

Results: HGS and OLST significantly correlated with the mean % of sites with PD≥4 mm and CAL≥4 mm. Mean % of sites with BOP-positive showed a significant relation with HGS. BMI, self-assessed masticatory ability and habitual betel quid chewing also showed significant correlations with HGS and OLST.

Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that periodontal health condition is related to physical fitness. The findings underscore the importance of preventive dental care which should be aimed at preserving and maintaining good periodontal health, which might enhance activities of daily life and quality of life in elderly individuals.