Logistic regression analysis of risk factors for the development of alveolar osteitis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess risk factors for alveolar osteitis.

METHODS

A prospective nested case-control study was conducted in an urban community dental clinic in Valdivia, Chile. A cohort of 1,355 patients who underwent dental extractions was included. Eight predictor variables (risk factors), namely patient gender, hygiene, tooth location, previous surgical site infection, traumatic extraction, systemic diseases, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use, were considered in a risk factor model. A binary regression logistic analysis was performed to determine significant associations.

RESULTS

In total 1,302 participants completed the follow-up. Eighty incident case patients with alveolar osteitis and 80 matched control patients were included. A statistically significant association was found between traumatic extraction (odds ratio [OR], 13.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 to 31.7), tobacco smoking after extraction (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.3 to 9.0), previous surgical site infection (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.4 to 7.7), and the development of alveolar osteitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous surgical site infection, traumatic extraction, and tobacco smoking are associated with an increased risk of alveolar osteitis.