Relationship between lead levels, periodontal conditions and quality of life among workers at an automotive battery factory in Bauru - SP county

Abstract

The objective was to analyze the relationship between blood lead levels, periodontal conditions and the oral impact on quality of life among workers at an automotive battery factory in the city of Bauru - SP. The sample consisted of 70 workers, assessed by a calibrated examiner (Kappa ≥ 0.78), recording blood lead levels (NSPB), lifestyle, oral hygiene and oral impact on quality of life (OHIP-14). Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Plaque Index (PI) were used. The level of significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05), the Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney, Odds Ratio, Chi-Square and Pearson's linear correlation being applied. The average age was 33.21 ± 9.43 years, 88.57% were male, 12.85% were hypertensive, 10% smokers, 12.86% regularly consumed alcoholic beverages, 88.57% brushed their teeth 3 or more times/day, 97.14% frequent flossing. The average level of lead in the blood 44.01 ± 6.15 µg/dL, being higher among workers of the production line (p = 0.000). Periodontal changes were observed in 67.14% of the people envolved, with bleeding (25.71%), calculus (67.14%), shallow bags (20.00%) and deep bags (10.00%). NSPB > 40 µg/dl were associated with gingival bleeding (OR = 4.91; p = 0.006). The IP was 2.78 ± 0.54. The oral impact was low, 4.48 ± 1.87, with a positive correlation between NSPB and physical disability (r = 0.35; p = 0.003), and the total OHIP-14 scores with PI (r = 0.24; p = 0.044). Although none of the workers had NSPB above the Maximum Biological Allowable Index, the prevalence of periodontal changes found was high, being related to poor oral hygiene and highlighting the need to adopt therapeutic, preventive and educational measures.