Background: A lot of studies have shown periodontal diseases as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The association between periodontitis and preeclampsia has been studied recently with controversy. Considering the importance of preventing preeclampsia as a dangerous and life-threatening disease in pregnant women, the present study was carried out.
Methods: Two hundred and ten pregnant women participated in this case-control study (105 controls & 105 cases) during years 2007 and 2008. Preeclamptic cases were defined as blood pressure ≥140/90mmHg and proteinuria+1. Control group were pregnant women with normal blood pressure without proteinuria. Both groups were examined during 48 hours after child delivery. Plaque Index (PLI), Pocket Depth (PD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Bleeding On Probing (BOP), Gingival Recession (GR) were measured on all teeth except for third molars and recorded as periodontal examination. Data was analyzed using t-test, chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U statistical tests.
Results: There was no significant difference between the two study groups for PD. CAL, GR, BOP significantly increased in the case group (P<0.02). This study showed that preeclamptic cases were more likely to develop periodontal disease (P<0.0001). Eighty three percent of the control group and 95% of the case group had periodontal disease (P<0.005) which had shown that preeclamptic cases were 4.1 times more likely to have periodontal disease (OR=4.1).
Conclusion: Preeclamptic cases significantly had higher attachment loss and gingival recession than the control group.