PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AND ADULT-ONSET RAPIDLY PROGRESSIVE PERIODONTITIS

On the basis of clinical observations, some periodontologists have sug gested an association between psychosocial factors such as depression, stress and anxiety, and adult onset rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP). This study investigated more formally possible associations be tween It number of relevant psychosocial factors and RPP. The signific ance of the psychosocial variables was assessed by comparing 3 groups: 50 patients with RPP, 50 patients with routine chronic adult periodon titis (RCAP), and 50 patients without significant periodontal destruct ion (controls). It was anticipated that the RPP group would show highe r levels of psychosocial maladjustment than the RCAP and control group s. A between-subjects multivariate analysis of covariance indicated th at the combined psychosocial variables were significantly related to t he periodontal diagnosis. 2 psychosocial factors, depression and lonel iness, were significant in distinguishing between groups. The RPP grou p presented significantly increased depression and loneliness compared to the RCAP and control groups. Future research is indicated to furth er clarify the significance of these psychosocial differences in relat ion to the onset and progression of RPP.