Exploratory Evaluation of Self-Reported Periodontitis Among Adult Population From Comitán Chiapas, Mexico

We assessed the reliability and validity of a self-report instrument to ascertain periodontitis risk.

A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2013 involving 454 adult people. The instrument included items on periodontal status such as self-perception of gum health, bleeding and gingival infection, halitosis, tooth mobility, and tooth loss. The periodontal clinical condition was assessed using the Periodontal Screening and Recording Index. Construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) were calculated as well. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha.

The prevalence of clinically evaluated moderate (MP) and severe (SP) periodontitis was 49.3% and 28.9%, respectively. Two factors for both types of periodontitis were identified using EFA. The combination of self-report items and risk factors for periodontitis showed an AUC-ROC of 0.660 (sensitivity 97.3%, specificity 3%) for MP and 0.804 (sensitivity 96.9%, specificity 28.3%) for SP.

EFA showed two factors that accounted for the baseline and outcome stage of periodontitis and better predicted the risk of SP. This instrument can be an alternative for monitoring this disease at the population level.