Abstract Serum hepcidin levels may increase in response to infection and inflammation. The present study investigated the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on levels of serum hepcidin, inflammatory markers, and iron markers. An interventional study was conducted on 67 patients (age 30–65 years) without other diseases, except for chronic periodontitis (CP). Patients were allocated to either CP or control groups. The CP group received supragingival and subgingival scaling and root planing procedures, whereas the control group received supragingival scaling. Probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level (CAL), visible plaque index (VPI), serum hepcidin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), hematological markers, and iron markers were measured at baseline and at 90 days after NSPT. The CP group had statistically significant lower mean values for mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (p ≤ 0.05). The control group had statistically significant reductions in hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, and MCH (p ≤ 0.05). Serum hepcidin, IL-6, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were significantly decreased in both groups after NSPT. Periodontal markers were more markedly reduced in the CP group compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest that NSPT may reduce the serum levels of IL-6, hepcidin, and periodontal parameters.

Resumo OBJETIVO: descrever as características dos cuidados de saúde bucal durante o acompanhamento pré-natal e o conhecimento sobre saúde bucal entre gestantes usuárias de serviços de saúde público e privado em São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo com 300 gestantes entrevistadas em serviço público e 300 em serviço privado, no período de agosto de 2007 a julho de 2008. RESULTADOS: a frequência de escovação dentária foi similar entre as usuárias dos serviços público e privado (p=0,156), enquanto o uso de fio dental (64,0% e 47,0%; p<0,001) e de colutórios (39,7% e 27,0%; p=0,001) foi mais frequente no serviço privado, em relação ao público; a maioria das usuárias, tanto do serviço público (60,3%) como do privado (65,7%), desconheciam a associação entre saúde bucal e gravidez. CONCLUSÃO: a frequência de escovação dentária foi similar entre gestantes dos serviços público e privado; os efeitos da gestação sobre a saúde bucal eram pouco conhecidos.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: to describe characteristics of oral health care during prenatal check-ups and knowledge about oral health among pregnant women using public and private health services in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: this is a descriptive study of 300 women interviewed in public health services and a further 300 interviewed in private health services between August 2007 and July 2008. RESULTS: tooth brushing frequency was similar among users of public and private services (p=0.156), while flossing (64.0% and 47.0%; p<0.001) and mouthwashing (39.7% and 27.0%; p=0.001) was more frequent among private service users in relation to public service users; most users of public services (60.3%) and private services (65.7%) were unaware of the association between oral health and pregnancy. CONCLUSION: frequency of tooth brushing was similar among pregnant women in public and private services; the effects of pregnancy on oral health were not well known.

Resumen OBJETIVO: identificar las características de los cuidados en salud oral durante el prenatal y el conocimiento acerca de salud oral entre gestantes de servicios de salud públicos y privados en São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo de 300 mujeres entrevistadas en servicio público y 300 en servicio privado, entre agosto de 2007 y julio de 2008. RESULTADOS: la frecuencia del cepillado dental fue similar entre usuarias de servicios públicos y privados (p=0,156), mientras que el uso de hilo dental (64,0% y 47,0%, p<0,001) y enjuagues bucales (39,7% y 27,0%, p=0,001) fue más frecuente en el servicio particular; la mayoría de las usuarias de los servicios públicos (60,3%) y privados (65,7%) no eran conscientes de la asociación de salud oral y embarazo. CONCLUSIÓN: la frecuencia cepillado dental fue similar entre las mujeres embarazadas en los servicios públicos y privados; los efectos del embarazo en la salud bucal eran poco conocidos.

Resumo OBJETIVO: descrever as características dos cuidados de saúde bucal durante o acompanhamento pré-natal e o conhecimento sobre saúde bucal entre gestantes usuárias de serviços de saúde público e privado em São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo com 300 gestantes entrevistadas em serviço público e 300 em serviço privado, no período de agosto de 2007 a julho de 2008. RESULTADOS: a frequência de escovação dentária foi similar entre as usuárias dos serviços público e privado (p=0,156), enquanto o uso de fio dental (64,0% e 47,0%; p<0,001) e de colutórios (39,7% e 27,0%; p=0,001) foi mais frequente no serviço privado, em relação ao público; a maioria das usuárias, tanto do serviço público (60,3%) como do privado (65,7%), desconheciam a associação entre saúde bucal e gravidez. CONCLUSÃO: a frequência de escovação dentária foi similar entre gestantes dos serviços público e privado; os efeitos da gestação sobre a saúde bucal eram pouco conhecidos.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: to describe characteristics of oral health care during prenatal check-ups and knowledge about oral health among pregnant women using public and private health services in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: this is a descriptive study of 300 women interviewed in public health services and a further 300 interviewed in private health services between August 2007 and July 2008. RESULTS: tooth brushing frequency was similar among users of public and private services (p=0.156), while flossing (64.0% and 47.0%; p<0.001) and mouthwashing (39.7% and 27.0%; p=0.001) was more frequent among private service users in relation to public service users; most users of public services (60.3%) and private services (65.7%) were unaware of the association between oral health and pregnancy. CONCLUSION: frequency of tooth brushing was similar among pregnant women in public and private services; the effects of pregnancy on oral health were not well known.

Resumen OBJETIVO: identificar las características de los cuidados en salud oral durante el prenatal y el conocimiento acerca de salud oral entre gestantes de servicios de salud públicos y privados en São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo de 300 mujeres entrevistadas en servicio público y 300 en servicio privado, entre agosto de 2007 y julio de 2008. RESULTADOS: la frecuencia del cepillado dental fue similar entre usuarias de servicios públicos y privados (p=0,156), mientras que el uso de hilo dental (64,0% y 47,0%, p<0,001) y enjuagues bucales (39,7% y 27,0%, p=0,001) fue más frecuente en el servicio particular; la mayoría de las usuarias de los servicios públicos (60,3%) y privados (65,7%) no eran conscientes de la asociación de salud oral y embarazo. CONCLUSIÓN: la frecuencia cepillado dental fue similar entre las mujeres embarazadas en los servicios públicos y privados; los efectos del embarazo en la salud bucal eran poco conocidos.

AIM: To examine whether the depression is associated with periodontitis in elderly and to evaluate oral hygiene of these patients. METHODS: One hundred and ninety one individuals aged 60 years or more were randomly selected. Periodontal examination was performed in full mouth by probing depth and clinical attachment loss in 6 sites for each tooth. The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) per individual was also obtained. Depression was assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) to show how the elderly have been feeling during the last week. RESULTS: Only SOHI was statistically significant (t = 4.7169, p<0.001), which better explains the variance in periodontal status. The variable GDS-15 revealed no significant values (t=0.3901, p=0.6971). CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between periodontitis and depression in elderly, but there was association between periodontitis and oral hygiene.

Salivary IgA can serve as a first line of defense against pathogens that colonize and invade mucosal surfaces and may be protective against periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to assess salivary immunoglobulin A levels in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with different periodontal treatment needs. The Periodontal Screening & Recording (PSR) system was used to evaluate the periodontal treatment needs of 41 diabetic and 42 non-diabetic patients. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from each patient immediately before clinical examination and stored at -20 °C until analysis. Salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and values were expressed as optical density. Diabetic and non-diabetic patients were compared using clinical and laboratory data. PSR data indicated that periodontal disease was more frequent and more severe in diabetic patients. A higher prevalence of codes 3 and 4 was observed in diabetics as compared with non-diabetics (odds ratio = 2, P < 0.05). Furthermore, non-diabetic patients had more healthy sextants (code 0) than did diabetic patients. Over half of diabetic patients (∼54%) presented with s-IgA levels that were lower than the normal range (optical density from 0.4 nm to 0.6 nm; P < 0.05). In addition, diabetic patients showed a higher variability in s-IgA levels as compared with non-diabetic patients. In conclusion, diabetic individuals had lower s-IgA levels, more-frequent and more-severe periodontal disease, and a greater need for periodontal treatment as compared with non-diabetic patients.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a densidade mineral óssea sistêmica (DMO) e a situação periodontal em mulheres na pós-menopausa, visando compreender o papel da osteoporose como um fator de risco à doença periodontal. MÉTODOS: A amostra da pesquisa foi constituída por 47 mulheres na pós-menopausa, que foram divididas em três grupos: 14 com osso normal (G1), 17 no grupo com osteopenia (G2) e 16 pacientes com osteoporose (G3), através da avaliação da densidade mineral óssea (DMO), aferida pela absormetria de dupla emissão com raios-X na área lombar (L1-L4). A condição periodontal foi avaliada pelo índice gengival (IG), índice da placa (IP) e o nível de inserção clínica (NIC). Os resultados tabulados foram analisados e submetidos ao tratamento estatístico, através do teste ANOVA a um critério (α=0,05) e o teste de correlação de Pearson (α=0,01). RESULTADOS: Verificou-se não haver diferenças significativas na situação periodontal em mulheres na pós-menopausa, através das variáveis IG, IP e NIC. Observou-se correlação significativa entre os parâmetros periodontais IG, IP e NIC entre si (p<0,001), contudo não foi detectada correlação significativa entre os parâmetros periodontais (IG, IP, NIC) e a condição sistêmica do osso das mulheres na pós-menopausa, avaliada através da DMO (p>0,01). CONCLUSÃO: A situação periodontal em mulheres na pós-menopausa não depende da massa óssea sistêmica, não havendo correlação significativa entre DMO e os parâmetros periodontais, sendo necessárias pesquisas longitudinais para considerar a osteoporose como um fator de risco à doença periodontal.

OBJECITVE: To assess the systemic bone mineral density (BMD) and the periodontal situation in postmenopausal women, to understand the possible role of osteoporosis as a risk factor for periodontal disease. METHODS: The sample was comprised of 47 postmenopausal women, divided into 3 groups: 14 patients with normal bones (G1), 17 with osteopenia (G2) and 16 patients with osteoporosis (G3). Data was obtained using bone mineral density (BMD), obtained by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the lumbar area (L1-L4). Periodontal condition was evaluated by Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI) and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL). Results were analyzed and submitted to statistical treatment, through the One Way ANOVA: (α=0.05) test and the Pearson's Correlation test (α=0.01). RESULTS: GI, PI and CAL variables did not disclose a significant difference in the periodontal situation of postmenopausal women A significant correlation between periodontal parameters GI, PI and CAL (p<0,001) was observed, however no significant correlation was detected between periodontal parameters (GI, PI and CAL) and systemic bone condition of postmenopausal women, evaluated by BMD (p>0.01). CONCLUSION: The periodontal situation of postmenopausal women does not depend on the systemic bone mass and there is no significant correlation between BMD and periodontal parameters. However, further longitudinal surveys are required to understand osteoporosis as a risk factor of periodontal disease.

OBJETIVO: o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a associação entre a osteoporose e a doença periodontal. MÉTODOS: foram incluídas 39 mulheres na pós-menopausa, que foram divididas em três grupos conforme categorização da massa óssea, por meio da avaliação da densidade mineral óssea, aferida pela absormetria de dupla emissão com raios X na área lombar (L1-L4): osso normal, osteopenia e osteoporose. Foi aplicado o índice de nível de inserção clínica (NIC) para todas as participantes no início da pesquisa e após um ano, por apenas um examinador. Os dados da situação periodontal foram submetidos à análise estatística com o teste t de Student pareado. RESULTADOS: o exame periodontal revelou que as mulheres na pós-menopausa com osteopenia apresentaram menor média do NIC no exame clínico periodontal inicial (2,1±1,1 mm), enquanto as pertencentes ao grupo osso normal mostraram menor perda dos tecidos de sustentação dos dentes após um ano (3,1±1,6 mm). Após a realização do tratamento estatístico, observou-se que não houve diferença significativa para a situação periodontal no osso normal, entretanto foi constatada diferença estatística nas pacientes do osteopenia e osteoporose, quando comparados os valores do NIC, nos dois períodos de avaliação. CONCLUSÕES: conclui-se que a osteoporose na pós-menopausa pode ser considerada como possível fator de risco para a doença periodontal.

PURPOSE: to verify the association of osteoporosis with periodontal disease. METHODS: the study has included 39 postmenopausal women divided in three groups according to bone mass categories, through evaluation of mineral bone density (MBD), measured by X-ray double emission absorbimetry in the lumbar area (L1-L4): ): normal bone; osteopenia and osteoporosis. In all the participants the Clinical Insertion Level (CIL) index has been determined at the research onset and after one year, by the same examiner. The periodontal situation data have been submitted to statistical analysis with the paired t-Student test. RESULTS: the periodontal exam has shown that postmenopausal women in the osteopenia presented lower CIL at the initial periodontal clinical exam (2.1±1.1 mm), while the ones in the normal bone showed less teeth support tissue loss after one year (3.1±1.6 mm). The statistical analysis has shown that there was no significant difference for the periodontal situation in the normal bone, but there was significant statistical difference for the osteopenia and osteoporosis patients, when CIL values from both evaluation periods were compared. CONCLUSIONS: it is concluded that postmenopausal osteoporosis may be a possible risk factor for periodontal disease.