Controlled clinical and psychometric studies on the relation between periodontitis and depressive mood

Depressive mood is considered a risk factor for the development of periodontitis. Investigation of the relationship between periodontitis and psychopathology utilizing psychometry (both observer- and self-rating scales). Forty periodontitis patients were compared with 41 age- and sex-matched controls. The percentage of smokers was similar in both groups (30%versus 24.4%). Dental variables included probing depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), radiographic loss of attachment, papillary bleeding index (PBI) and approximal plaque index (API). Psychometry comprised the Hamilton Depression Scale, the Zung Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety Scales, the von Zerssen Well-being and Complaint Scales, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Quality-of-Life Index, crystallized intelligence and the Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI). Multifactorial analysis of variance demonstrated increased depression and anxiety scores, reduced well-being, increased somatic complaints, deteriorated quality of life and introversion in periodontitis. Partial correlation analyses between psychometric measures and dental variables revealed positive correlations of periodontal disease severity/CAL with the depression/anxiety, subjective well-being and complaints scores, and a negative correlation with quality of life. The API was negatively correlated with social orientation, and the CAL was positively correlated with somatic complaints and introversion in the FPI. Our clinical-psychometric studies confirm depressive mood as a relevant pathogenetic factor for periodontitis.