The prevalence of localized juvenile periodontitis in Saudi subjects
The purpose of this retrospective study was to estimate prevalence and sex ratio of LJP in a sample of Saudi patients, to determine the prevalence of A. achnomycetemcomitans (A.a.) in the LJP subjects, and to compare both sexes. A sample of 5,480 Saudi subjects between the ages of 17 and 23 were selected. They were treated during a three-year period (1988-1991).The diagnosis of LJP was confirmed radiographically. Criteria involved in selection were cases demonstrating bilateral, symmetrical, deep, angular lesions, localized in first molars and incisors with severe bone loss. Plaque samples were taken using a sterile cures and then cultured. The isolates were confirmed as A.a. Twenty-three individuals were classified as having LJP (confirmed by radiographs and by microbiology).The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.88 (there was a statistically significant difference between male and female).The mean age affected was 18.6 for males and 17.9 for females. The prevalence of the disease in males was .25% vs. .67% in the females. (Total prevalence of disease in Saudi subjects was .42%.)The total recovered sites for A.a. in females vs. males showed no difference. In conclusion, the prevalence and sex ratio of LJP in Saudi subjects was comparable to those of western societies. The female was most likely to be affected (1:1.88 ratio). No statistically significant difference in sex and sites affected by A.a. was found. [c.c.]
Nassar, M., O. Afifi, and R Deprez, J Periodont, 65:698, 1994