Assessment of the influence of income levels on periodontal health assessed by the CPITN index of 35-44 year-olds in Iasi, Romania

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal condition of a group of 35-44 years old patients from the Iasi region of Romania using the CPITN index and to see if there were any correlations with the income level of the patients assessed. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in dental clinics in rural and urban areas of Iasi in 2006-2007 and a sample of 928 people (age 35-44 years old) was examined according to the CPITN index criteria by two calibrated examiners. Their income level was then assessed as high, medium or low. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical program package. The Spearman correlation was used to compare the differences in prevalence and the correlation between CPITN scores and income. The study was approved by the Department of the Trust who gave ethical approval. Results: Of the 928 patients 311 (43.5%) were in the highest income level group, 437 (47%) were in the middle income group and 180 (19.5%) were in the lowest income group. Only 84 patients (9.1%) were assessed as CPITN 0. A further 201 (21.7%) were assessed as having a CPITN score of 1. The majority (504 – 54%) were assessed as CPITN 2 and 141 (15.2%) as CPITN 3 or 4 (having a pocket or pockets of 3.5mm or deeper). Only 24 patients (2.4%) had a pocket or pockets of 5.5mm or deeper (CPITN 4). None of these 24 patients came from the group with the highest income. When statistically tested, the Spearman correlation confirmed an association between the presence of a pocket or pockets deeper than 3.5mm and income level (r=-0.3, p=0.001). Conclusions: In Iasi county, in the 35-44 year-olds who were studied, the majority had a CPITN score of 2. Just over 15% had a pocket or pockets deeper than 3.5mm and only 2.5% had a pocket or pockets deeper than 5.5 mm. Income level was a risk factor which correlated with the presence of periodontal pockets. Key-words: Periodontal diseases, CPITN, 35-44 year-olds, income levels Corresponding author: Dr Alice Murariu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Gr. T. Popa” Iasi, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Community Dentistry, Universitatii 17, Iasi, Romania; e-mail: [email protected]; telephone: 00 40 751599470