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Low‐dose aspirin therapy and periodontal attachment loss in ex‐ and non‐smokers
Author(s) -
Drouganis Arthur,
Hirsch Robert
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.2001.280106.x
Subject(s) - aspirin , medicine , dentistry , gingival recession , clinical attachment loss , diabetes mellitus , gingival and periodontal pocket , periodontitis , endocrinology
Background, aims: This study investigated the periodontal status of non‐smokers and ex‐smokers in relation to their intake of low‐dose aspirin. Methods: A self‐selected sample of 392 males aged 50 years and over was recruited from the general population. Subjects were included in the study if they had a minimum of 6 or more natural teeth, took aspirin (300 mg or less per day) for at least 2 years and were either ex‐ or non‐smokers. Controls were subjects who did not take aspirin regularly. A questionnaire was used to record demographic data, medical and dental histories. Individuals who had diabetes or other systemic diseases were excluded from the study. Periodontal attachment loss (PAL) was calculated by adding measurements of gingival recession and periodontal pocket depth made by a single examiner at 6 sites around each tooth using non‐pressure sensitive periodontal probes. Plaque and gingival bleeding indices were also scored. Subjects were divided into 4 groups: aspirin non‐smokers, aspirin ex‐smokers, no aspirin non‐smokers and no aspirin ex‐smokers. Data were analysed using two‐way ANOVA with age as the covariate. Severity and extent of mean PAL and the cumulative distribution of the mean of the most severe sites (MSS) of PAL were analysed. Results: Controlling for age, mean PAL in aspirin takers was significantly less 2.6±0.08 (se) mm than non‐aspirin takers 2.9±0.06 (se) mm; this association was independent of smoking history. Ex‐smokers had significantly more mean PAL 3.9±0.07 (se) mm than non‐smokers 2.6±0.08 (se) mm, irrespective of aspirin status. When MSS‐PAL was analysed, these differences became more pronounced; MSS‐PAL in aspirin takers was significantly less 3.9±0.1 (se) mm than non‐aspirin takers 4.2±0.08 (se) mm. Ex‐smokers had significantly more MSS‐PAL 4.3±0.08 (se) mm than non‐smokers 3.8±0.08 (se) mm. Aspirin apparently had a protective association on PAL and it is hypothesised that low‐dose aspirin may have reduced the rate of attachment loss. Conclusions: This hypothesis needs to be confirmed by a prospective study. The results of this study suggest that individuals aged over 50 years, particularly ex‐smokers, may benefit by taking low‐doses of aspirin daily to reduce their risk of periodontal attachment loss.