Family history of periodontal disease and prevalence of smoking status among adult periodontitis patients: a cross-sectional study

Objectives: What is the family history of periodontal disease and the prevalence of smoking status among patients with professionally diagnosed periodontitis? Are these factors related to extent and severity of periodontitis?.
Methods: Over a 10-year period, referred patients from a clinic for periodontology in the Netherlands were examined in a cross-sectional study. Patients received at the intake appointment a full-mouth periodontal examination. Data regarding family history of periodontitis and smoking status were recorded.
Results: A total of 5375 adult periodontitis patients were included in this study sample with a mean age of 50 years. The prevalence of smoking was 34% and 37% of the subjects had at least one parent or sibling with periodontitis. The chance to have severe periodontitis was higher if the patient was male, smoker or had a brother with periodontitis. Being male, smoker and having a parent with periodontitis were significantly associated with a larger extent of periodontitis. Conclusions: Within the investigated population familial aggregation, smoking status, age and gender are factors that were related to extent and severity of adult periodontitis.