Analysis of influencing factors of anxiety and depression in patients with periodontitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND Periodontitis is a chronic oral disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms that corrode tooth tissue, form periodontal pockets, absorb alveolar bone, and finally lead to tooth loss. During treatment, patients are prone to anxiety, tension, and other negative emotions, which affect their ability to face the disease and may also lead to aggravation of the original condition and affect oral health. Therefore, it is important to improve the negative psychology of patients with periodontitis to clarify the factors that may lead to negative psychological emotions. AIM To investigate the risk factors that may lead to anxiety and depression in patients with periodontitis. METHODS One hundred patients with periodontitis were selected between March 2022 and March 2023 at our hospital. All patients were assessed with the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) (≥ 53 points indicate a depressive state) and Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) (≥ 50 points indicates an anxious state). In this study, patients who experienced anxiety or depression were included in the occurrence group and those without anxiety or depression were included in the non-occurrence group. The baseline data of the two groups were compared to explore the risk factors for anxiety and depression in patients with periodontitis. RESULTS A total of 100 patients with periodontitis were included in this study. According to the SDS, 38 patients (38.00%) developed depression, with an average SDS score of (68.52 ± 5.85) points. According to the SAS, 40 patients (40.00%) developed anxiety, and the average SAS score was (72.15 ± 4.15) points. In this study, 56 patients with anxiety or depression were included. Compared with the non-occurrence group, the occurrence group had higher ages (≥ 60 years), lower level of hope (low level), educational level (high school or below), disease perception (poor), and sleep disorder (yes). The negative coping dimension scores of the simplified coping style questionnaire (SCSQ) and Dental Fear Scale (DFS) in the occurrence group were higher, whereas the score of the positive coping dimension of the SCSQ was significantly lower (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the other data between the groups (P > 0.05). The results of multiple logistics regression analysis showed that age (≥ 60 years), level of hope (low level), educational level (high school or below), disease perception (poor), sleep disorder (yes), high negative coping dimension scores of SCSQ, high score of DFS, and low positive coping dimension scores of SCSQ were all factors contributing to the anxiety and depression in patients with periodontitis (odds ratio > 1, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Age, hope level, educational level, disease perception, sleep disorders, coping style, and dental fear were all associated with anxiety and depression in patients with periodontitis.