Effect of Age on Bleeding on Probing (BOP) as an Indicator of Periodontal Inflammation in Patients Enrolled in Supportive Periodontal Therapy

PURPOSE To assess the effect of age on the mean percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) in patients enrolled in SPT for at least 5 years. Materials and Methods: This study was performed as a retrospective analysis of data collected from SPT patients initially diagnosed with gingivitis or mild to severe periodontitis. Two groups of patients were selected: in group A, younger adults (age ≤ 35 years) were included while group B consisted of older SPT patients (age ≥ 65 years). BOP in the two groups was compared according to both disease severity and % compliance with SPT visits. Results: BOP in all patients (n = 236) was 19.2% (± 12.4). Group A (n = 110) presented mean BOP levels of 19.7% (± 11.8), while lower BOP levels of 18.7% (± 13.0) were found in group B (n = 126; p = 0.5272). Older patients demonstrating high % compliance had lower mean BOP levels (14.2% ± 9.5) than younger patients (18.0% ±  11.7; p = 0.0841). Similarly, BOP was lower in older patients with moderate (group B: 18.4% ± 12.1, group A: 19.3% ± 14.6, p = 0.0541) or severe periodontitis (group B: 22.4% ± 11.4, group A: 23.2% ±  14.0; p = 0.3440). In patients with moderate or severe periodontitis and higher % compliance with SPT, the mean BOP was statistically significantly lower in older patients than in younger patients (moderate: 14.4% ± 11.9 vs 19.4% ± 15.1, p < 0.0001; severe: 13.2% ± 11.1 vs 18.3% ± 17.5, p = 0.0170). Conclusion: Older patients enrolled in SPT may present lower levels of BOP. This finding should be considered when determining SPT intervals with elderly patients.