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Within-mouth correlations and reliabilities for probing depth and attachment level
Journal of Periodontology
|July 1, 1987
Summary
Reliable periodontal measurements of probing depth and attachment level require careful consideration of examiner variability. High reliability suggests individual sites are not suitable for statistical analysis in periodontitis studies.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Clinical Dentistry
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Accurate periodontal measurements are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring disease progression.
- Previous studies have reported low within-mouth correlations for probing depth and attachment level measurements.
- This variability may stem from issues with measurement reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability of probing depth and attachment level measurements.
- To evaluate inter- and intra-examiner variability in periodontal assessments.
- To determine the appropriate unit of statistical analysis in periodontitis clinical studies.
Main Methods:
- Replicate measurements of probing depth and attachment level were taken.
- Three examiners assessed the six Ramfjord teeth in 34 patients.
- Statistical analysis focused on within-mouth correlations and examiner variability.
Main Results:
- High within-mouth correlations were observed for single and mean replicate measurements.
- Inter- and intra-examiner variability were low compared to between-patient variability.
- Reliability of measurements was found to be high.
Conclusions:
- Low within-mouth correlations in prior research may be due to poor measurement reliability.
- The individual periodontal site is not an appropriate unit for statistical analysis in periodontitis studies.
- High reliability supports the use of more robust statistical units for clinical trials.
