Demographics, smoking status, and systemic health factors associated with apical periodontitis in a Brazilian rural population: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the systemic diseases diabetes mellitus (DM) and arterial hypertension (AH), and smoking status are associated with apical periodontitis (AP) in a representative rural population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study using a representative sample of individuals obtained from a population-based epidemiological survey carried out in the rural area of the city of Rosario do Sul, RS, Brazil, from March 2015 to May 2016. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and clinical examination. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables independently associated with AP. RESULTS: Of the 584 individuals included in the study, 353 (60.4%) had AP. The presence of AP was independently associated with age >/= 40 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.867, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.193-2.923, p = 0.006), non-white ethnicity (OR = 1.509, 95% CI: 1.029-2.115, p = 0.035), active or former smoker (OR = 2.087, 95% CI: 1.241-3.510, p = 0.006) and DM or prediabetes (OR = 1.676, 95% CI: 1.150-2.443, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The study identified significant associations between AP and demographics, smoking status, and systemic disease in a Brazilian rural population. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study emphasized the significance of comprehending and managing associated factors in preventing and treating AP.