Periodontitis in early age patients with intellectual disabilities in Cuenca – Ecuador an observational cross- study

Abstract

Periodontitis in early age patients with intellectual disabilities in Cuenca – Ecuador an observational cross- study.

Aims & Background: It is recognized that currently, both dental caries and periodontal diseases induced by biofilm are highly prevalent worldwide. Intellectual disability is a condition that places the individual in a vulnerable situation when it comes to oral health, especially for implementing adequate oral hygiene techniques. Considering the fact that oral disease represents an important health problem, scientific evidence shows a high prevalence of caries and periodontal disease in patients with intellectual disabilities. However, it is also recognized that studies on this type of vulnerable population are scarce, and oral health studies often exclude patients with disabilities. In Ecuador, the percentage of people with intellectual disabilities has been reported at 23.12%. Of this total, 27.83% correspond to individuals in early childhood and adolescence (0-18 years old). However, the data associated with oral health are limited or null, therefore, generating preventive policies remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of periodontitis in early-age patients with intellectual disabilities in a group of 151 students from educational institutes for intellectual disabilities in Ecuador.

Materials and Methods: A human observational cross- study with a sample non- probabilistic for convenience with subjects with intellectual disability and age between 3 and 20 years old of both sexes who attend the Azuay Special Educational Unit and the San José de Calasanz Basic Education School. For the data collection, forms were used to collect information on the student's affiliation, medical history, socioeconomic level, daily oral hygiene practices, and informed consent and was filled out by the subject’s parents/guardians. A clinical record was used to record clinical data on periodontal health and oral hygiene. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package SPSS version 22, applying descriptive statistics.

Results: Among the 141 evaluated, 52% were males and 48% female. The hygienic state of the patients in all cases was deficient. A diagnosis was obtained in 10.64% of healthy patients, 60.28% of patients with gingivitis and 29.07% with different severities of periodontitis. Within the cases of periodontitis, the majority was concentrated in a mild severity followed by moderate periodontitis. Only 2 subjects were diagnosed with severe periodontitis.

Conclusion: This research showed that early age patients with intellectual disabilities presented periodontitis at different levels, the intellectual disability could be conditioning in different aspects the rapid development of this disease and probably is linked on the type of disability and socioeconomic aspect.

Clinical significance: The data provides a real perspective of periodontal health of subjects at an early age with intellectual disabilities in Cuenca - Ecuador, results that can be translated into prevention and public health policies for these vulnerable subjects.