Periodontitis As a Risk Factor for Preeclampsia

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory process caused by a specific group of microorganisms, resulting in the destruction of the tooth-supporting tissue and the resorption of the alveolar bone. Therefore, periodontitis has been considered a risk factor for preeclampsia because infection is one of the factors involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aim of the present study is to determine whether periodontitis is a risk factor for preeclampsia and to identify other possible risk factors.

Methods: A case-control study was performed with 574 puerperae under care at the university hospital at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco in the city of Recife, Brazil. Data collection was preceded by a training exercise and a pilot study. Biologic and socioeconomic data were collected along with medical and dental records. A periodontal examination was performed on all dental elements to determine probing depth and gingival recession. The association between periodontitis and preeclampsia was first adjusted for the variables within each block, and adjusted for the variables of all blocks in the final multivariate model.

Results: The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjustment for other risk factors, periodontitis remained an independent risk factor for preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.60, confidence interval [CI] = 3.92 to 18.88, P < 0.001 and adjusted OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.43 to 2.90, P < 0.001, when using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology definition).

Conclusion: The results suggest that within the population studied, periodontitis was a risk factor for preeclampsia.