Prevalence and extent of lifetime cumulative attachment loss (LCAL) at different thresholds and associations with clinical variables: changes in a population of young male military recruits over 3 years

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Abstract
Aim: The aims of this study were to monitor the prevalence and progression of lifetime cumulative attachment loss (LCAL) in a group of young British male military recruits over a 3‐year period, and to determine the relationship between signs of LCAL and selected periodontal variables. Methods: 100 subjects, aged 16–20 years (mean 17 years) at baseline, were examined at 0 (baseline), 12 and 30 months. LCAL, probing depth, plaque, bleeding on probing, gingival colour and supra‐ and subgingival calculus were assessed on the mesio‐buccal, disto‐buccal, mesio‐lingual and disto‐lingual surfaces of all teeth present, excluding third molars. Data were analysed cross‐sectionally at each examination. Results: Over the period of the study, the prevalence of LCAL 1 and 2 mm ranged from 95–100%, whereas LCAL 3 mm ranged from 40–47%. The extent of LCAL 1 mm ranged from 76–86%. However, the extent of LCAL 2 mm was dramatically lower (10.5–12.7%), and LCAL 3 mm was uncommon (0.5–0.9%). Examining the number of subjects according to the number of sites affected above a threshold, showed that a small number of subjects have a large number of sites above threshold. Using Pearson’s rank correlation coefficient a significant correlation (p<0.05) was found between LCAL and the periodontal variables of gingival bleeding and supra‐ and subgingival calculus. Conclusions: These data suggest that the onset and progression of chronic periodontitis can be seen in young adults, and in this group gingival bleeding and supra‐ and subgingival calculus are the variables most strongly associated with early periodontitis.