PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE AMONG HIGH-PERFORMANCE ATHLETES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Lorena Bosch Orihuela; Mayda Orihuela Villanueva; Chukwuma J. Okafor; Rodolfo Isidro Bosch Bayard; Ramadhan Shaali Choum; Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v11i3.1564

Lorena Bosch Orihuela Medical University of Havana, Cuba.
Mayda Orihuela Villanueva Medical University of Havana, Cuba.
Chukwuma J. Okafor Department of Pathology and Biochemistry, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Rodolfo Isidro Bosch Bayard Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania. 4School of Dentistry, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania
Ramadhan Shaali Choum School of Dentistry, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu Division of Haematology, Department of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, Africa University, Zimbabwe. Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

10.22270/ujpr.v11i3.1564

Keywords:

Gingivitis, high-performance athletes, oral health, periodontal disease, periodontitis, sports medicine

Abstract

Background and aims: Periodontal disease is a common chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gingiva and supporting dental tissues, which can impair oral function, nutrition, and general health. Athletes are exposed to risk factors such as intensive training, high carbohydrate consumption, dehydration, and oral trauma. The study was done to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease among high-performance athletes and identify associated demographic, behavioural, and functional factors.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 192 athletes. Periodontal examinations were performed by trained dental professionals using standardized clinical criteria. Participants completed a structured questionnaire capturing demographic, behavioural, and parafunctional variables. The dependent variables were gingivitis and periodontitis. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations were assessed using chi-square and likelihood ratio tests and modified Poisson regression with robust variance was used to obtain adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs). The population was predominantly female (57.8%), with most athletes aged 15–19 years (54.2%).

Results: The prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis was 23.6% and 23.1%, respectively. Gingivitis was significantly associated with sport discipline (LR p=0.016) and educational level (LR p=0.035). Mouth breathing (OR 4.22; 95% CI: 2.12–8.39) and tobacco use (aPR 2.14; 95% CI: 1.40–3.26) were strongly associated with periodontal outcomes. Periodontitis was significantly related to sport type (LR p=0.008), age group (LR p=0.001), and onychophagia (OR 2.65; 95% CI: 1.16–6.02).Periodontal disease is common among high-performance athletes.

Conclusion: Modifiable behavioral and functional factors appear to play a major role. These findings highlight the need to integrate targeted oral health prevention strategies into athlete health programs.