Therapy-resistant periodontitis. Psychosocial characteristics.

This study investigated the perspective of a stress system disorder in the pathogenesis of therapy-resistant periodontitis. The goal was to find indications that the stress-behaviour-immune system model holds as an explanatory model for the understanding of periodontal disease. 2 patient-groups were compared: one group classified as responding well to periodontal treatment (responsive-group, R-group, n=11); the other group was classified as responding less well to treatment (non-responsive-group, NR-group, n=11). Somatic and psychological factors were described as obtained by interviews and psychological testings. These findings were related to clinical data documented during the treatment of the patients. An exact logistic multivariate regression analysis was performed on a model based on variables selected by bivariate analysis (variable versus group). The results indicated that the NR-group patients displayed indications of more psychosocial strain and a more passive-dependent personality. The R-group patients displayed a more rigid personality and possibly a less stressful psychosocial situation in the past. The report highlights the possible contribution of stress factors in the context of therapy resistant periodontal disease, and the results seem to be understandable within the context of a stress system disorder perspective.