Cross-Sectional Clinical Validation of the Periodontal Disease Self-Report Measure

The Periodontal Disease Self Report (PDSR) measure was originally created and psychometrically validated using a nationwide sample via online data collection. No clinical parameters were included in the prior validation of the PDSR. Thus, this study evaluated potential evidence for the clinical validity of the measure by examining associations between the PDSR scores and various clinical parameters obtained from a new sample of participants in which full-mouth periodontal examinations were conducted.

Adults from a community sample (n = 114) provided demographic information, responded to the PDSR measure and received a full-mouth clinical periodontal examination. Individual self-report items, subscale scores and total scores obtained from the PDSR were evaluated against clinical parameters of periodontitis. Regression models and receiver operating characteristic statistics were also utilised to test the ability of the PDSR to predict clinical outcomes.

PDSR total scores were positively correlated with mean probing depth (r = 0.50, p < 0.01) and mean clinical attachment loss (r = 0.52, p < 0.01). After accounting for common risk factors in periodontal disease, the PDSR predicted mean probing depth (β = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.02-0.04; ΔR² = 0.19). The area under the curve for the PDSR scores distinguishing between CDC/AAP no/mild periodontitis and moderate/severe periodontitis categories was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.62-0.81).

Clinical data support the use of the PDSR measure as a screening tool for periodontal disease. Additionally, the PDSR may offer added utility compared to other measures due to less reliance on information obtained via clinical encounters.