_1784110671 20260715101751000 Editor editor.jddt@gmail.com Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Univ J Pharm Res 2456-8058 2831-5235 07 15 2026 Lorena Bosch Orihuela Mayda Orihuela Villanueva Chukwuma J. Okafor Rodolfo Isidro Bosch Bayard Ramadhan Shaali Choum Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu Background and aims: Periodontal disease is a common chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gingiva and supporting dental tissues, which can impair oral function, nutrition, and general health. Athletes are exposed to risk factors such as intensive training, high carbohydrate consumption, dehydration, and oral trauma. The study was done to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease among high-performance athletes and identify associated demographic, behavioural, and functional factors. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 192 athletes. Periodontal examinations were performed by trained dental professionals using standardized clinical criteria. Participants completed a structured questionnaire capturing demographic, behavioural, and parafunctional variables. The dependent variables were gingivitis and periodontitis. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations were assessed using chi-square and likelihood ratio tests and modified Poisson regression with robust variance was used to obtain adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs). The population was predominantly female (57.8%), with most athletes aged 15–19 years (54.2%). Results: The prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis was 23.6% and 23.1%, respectively. Gingivitis was significantly associated with sport discipline (LR p=0.016) and educational level (LR p=0.035). Mouth breathing (OR 4.22; 95% CI: 2.12–8.39) and tobacco use (aPR 2.14; 95% CI: 1.40–3.26) were strongly associated with periodontal outcomes. Periodontitis was significantly related to sport type (LR p=0.008), age group (LR p=0.001), and onychophagia (OR 2.65; 95% CI: 1.16–6.02).Periodontal disease is common among high-performance athletes. Conclusion: Modifiable behavioral and functional factors appear to play a major role. These findings highlight the need to integrate targeted oral health prevention strategies into athlete health programs.                   Peer Review History: Received 2 April 2026;   Reviewed 8 May 2026; Accepted  13 June; Available online 15 July 2026 Academic Editor: Dr. Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia,  Indonesia, ahmad.najib@umi.ac.id Reviewers: Prof. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye Dr. Ogbonna B. Onyebuchi, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka,  Nigeria, summitpharm@yahoo.com 07 15 2026 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 10.22270/ujpr.v11i3.1564 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1564 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1564/2169 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1564/2169 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1564/2170 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1564/2202