This study aimed to link lifestyle factors (Mediterranean diet adherence, stress, sleep quality, physical activity) to caries and apical periodontitis in 149 university-based individuals. Data included clinical and radiographic assessments and lifestyle questionnaires. Statistical tests and logistic regression were employed to analyze the relationships between these factors and oral health conditions.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between lifestyle (adherence to the Mediterranean diet, stress, sleep quality, and level of physical activity) with the presence of caries and apical periodontitis (AP) in a University-based cohort of individuals. A total of 149 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. In addition to clinical (cold test, percussion test, evaluation of tooth mobility) and radiographic (bitewing Rx, periapical Rx, and OPT) parameters, validated questionnaires were used to investigate patient's lifestyle. Data on the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT score) and the severity of apical periodontitis (PAI score) were extrapolated from the available clinical and instrumental investigations. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to evaluate the normal distribution of data; Wilcoxon rank-sum test (Mann-Whitney) was used to compare continuous variables. Fisher's test was used to compare dichotomized variables. A logistic regression model was performed for the multivariate analysis.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
149
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese
Siena, Italy
Presence of Apical Periodontitis
The periapical status was investigated by palpation, percussion, thermal cold testing, and panoramic radiographs. Afterward, teeth that exhibited deep carious lesions, deep restorations, no response to pulp testing, or painful response to biting and/or percussion or palpation were suspected of AP. Those teeth underwent further periapical radiograph using the long cone paralleling technique with a film holder. AP cases were diagnosed based on the identification of at least one tooth with periapical radiolucency outpacing twice the width of the periodontal ligament space and having PAI \> 2.
Time frame: The time frame for this observational study is defined by the initial assessment conducted at baseline. No follow-up measurements are scheduled, and the study aims to explore associations and characteristics at a single time point
Periapical index (PAI)
Periapical health was assessed radiographically using the PAI score that was determined through visual inspection of the periapical area, assigning a numerical value based on the extent and severity of inflammation. Scores ranged from 0 to 5
Time frame: The time frame for this observational study is defined by the initial assessment conducted at baseline. No follow-up measurements are scheduled, and the study aims to explore associations and characteristics at a single time point
Decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index
The DMFT index is calculated by summing the scores for decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth for an individual or a group of individuals
Time frame: The time frame for this observational study is defined by the initial assessment conducted at baseline. No follow-up measurements are scheduled, and the study aims to explore associations and characteristics at a single time point
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