Validity of Self-reported History of Endodontic Treatment in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Abstract

Introduction Self-reported history of endodontic treatment (SRHET) has been used as a simplified method to estimate history of endodontic disease and treatment. This study aimed to quantify the validity of SRHET, as reported in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), as a method to: 1- identify individuals who experienced endodontic treatment (ET); and 2- identify individuals who present with apical periodontitis (AP). Methods SRHET was collected through the BLSA questionnaire in 247 participants. Data on ET and AP were determined from panoramic radiographs. The total number of ET, AP and missing teeth were recorded for each individual. Validity of SRHET was determined based on ET and AP, separately. Accuracy, efficiency, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (+PV, −PV) and positive and negative likelihood ratios (+LR, −LR) were calculated according to standard methods. Results After exclusions, 229 participants were available for ET analysis and 129 for AP analysis. The SRHET validity values were: sensitivity (ET=0.915; AP=0.782), specificity (ET=0.891; AP=0.689), +PV (ET=0.824; AP=0.353), −PV (ET=0.949; AP=0.936), +LR (ET=8.394; AP=2.514) and −LR (ET=0.095; AP=0.316). Conclusions SRHET was found to be a highly accurate method to predict ET but a weak predictor of the presence of AP among participants in the BLSA.

Association between self-reported oral health, tooth loss and atherosclerotic burden

“…The use of SROH measures provides relevant cost and time savings in large epidemiological surveys. 19,21 SROH is a known Likert-type scale and previous studies have provided consistent evidence of the construct validity of this model. 19,23 Limitations of the SROH approach must be clarified.…”

“…In the last years, self-reported oral health (SROH) status has been increasingly implemented in dentistry. [18][19][20][21] Few studies have tested the relationship between clinical scores of CAB and oral health in humans. The current study tested this association in a group of southern Brazilian patients using a SROH approach, 19 supplemented by an oral clinical examination measuring the number of teeth.…”

Endodontic therapy and incident cardiovascular disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

“…A more recent study conducted by Gomes et al found that self‐reported history of ET had 92% sensitivity, 89% specificity, 82% positive predictive value, and 95% negative predictive value compared to panoramic radiographs . Both studies concluded that self‐reported ET is a highly accurate method to predict historic ET …”

“…Pitiphat et al found that self‐reported history of root canal treatment had 90% sensitivity, 94% specificity, a positive predictive value of 86%, and a negative predictive value of 95% compared to clinical and radiograph examinations . A more recent study conducted by Gomes et al found that self‐reported history of ET had 92% sensitivity, 89% specificity, 82% positive predictive value, and 95% negative predictive value compared to panoramic radiographs . Both studies concluded that self‐reported ET is a highly accurate method to predict historic ET …”

Association between chronic oral inflammatory burden and physical fitness in males: a cross‐sectional observational study

“…As discussed extensively in previous studies (Gomes et al . , ), another consideration is related to the radiographic analysis and its inherent limitations, particularly for the detection of AP. The cross‐sectional radiologic detection of AP does not provide information on the activity of the disease.…”