Evaluation of the relationship between nicotine dependence degree and periodontitis severity

INTRODUCTION: According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people used tobacco in 2015. Smoking is considered a risk factor and is associated with several periodontal events. In addition, nicotine is an addictive substance that leads people to use tobacco products continuously. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between the level of nicotine dependence and the severity of periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-four smoking patients with periodontitis were evaluated according to the degree of nicotine dependence (Fagerström questionnaire), and the number of cigarettes consumed per day (light smokers: 20 cigarettes). Periodontitis was classified according to its severity (mild, moderate and severe). The groups were compared using the ANOVA test and the Tukey test, and the correlation of the degree of nicotine dependence on the severity of periodontitis was assessed by the Spearman correlation test. The level of significance of the tests was 5%. RESULTS: The results showed a correlation between the degree of nicotine dependence and the severity of periodontal disease (r = 0.36, p = 0.006), the amount of cigarettes consumed per day (r = 0.76, p <0.001), the patient's age when starting to smoke (r = -0.53, p = 0.001), the patient's age (r = 0.30, p = 0.02) and the duration of the smoking habit smoking (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that there is a relationship between the severity of periodontal disease and degree of nicotine dependence.