Association between periodontal condition and hypertension in a non-smoking population aged 30-49 years: results of the Health 2000 Survey in Finland

Periodontal and systemic health of morbidly obese patients eligible for bariatric surgery: a cross-sectional study

Background

In obese patients, periodontitis might be associated with deprived systemic health. Edmonton obesity staging system (EOSS) is a new tool for classification of obesity that considers the metabolic, physical, and psychological health. The cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the periodontal status of morbidly obese patients eligible for bariatric surgery and the association between periodontitis, obesity-related comorbidities, and EOSS.

Methods

Morbidly obese patients eligible for bariatric surgery underwent detailed periodontal examination and were divided into the periodontitis group (PG) and the non-periodontitis group (NPG). The medical and demographic data were obtained from medical files, while behavioural data were obtained by the interview. Descriptive statistics and simple statistical tests were used to summarise the characteristics of the sample and the differences between PG and NPG. The logistic regression models were used to calculate the association (odds ratio (OR)) between periodontitis and obesity-related diseases and EOSS.

Results

The study included 79 patients, with an average BMI of 44.6 kg/m² (SD = 7.2). The prevalence of periodontitis was 65% (CI 95% 53%-75%). PG patients (n = 51) were older, more often smokers and were more often hypertensive than NPG patients (n = 28) (p < 0.05). Hypertension was positively associated with periodontitis with adjusted OR 3.98 (95% CI 1.23–12.8; p = 0.021)) and age with adjusted OR 1.06, (95% CI 1.01–1.13; p = 0.038)), while other tested conditions (diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and smoking habits) did not show significant association with periodontitis. Periodontitis did not correlate with EOSS or other obesity-related comorbidities (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The morbidly obese patients eligible for bariatric surgery show a high prevalence of periodontitis and, therefore, are advised to be examined by a dentist before undergoing surgery. They have higher odds of hypertension but not of other obesity-related diseases or higher stages of EOSS. The medical personnel should raise awareness among obese patients on the potential association of poor periodontal health with hypertension.

Trial registration

NCT04653714.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02207-0.

Association between periodontal condition and blood pressure is confounded by smoking

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of smoking as a confounding factor in the association between periodontal pocketing and blood pressure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After restriction to 45-64-year-old subjects without hypertension, diabetes, rheumatic diseases, obesity and with no history of cardiovascular diseases or ongoing lipid-lowering medications, the study population consisted of 307 subjects of the Health 2000 Survey in Finland. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (mmHg) were used as outcome variables. Periodontal condition was measured by the number of teeth with ≥4 mm periodontal pockets. β-estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained from linear regression models. Analyses were made in the whole study population and stratified according to smoking habits/history.

RESULTS

The number of teeth with ≥4 mm periodontal pockets associated statistically significantly with systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure in the whole study population. Among never-smokers or daily smokers, there were no consistent nor statistically significant associations between the number of teeth with ≥4 mm periodontal pockets and systolic/diastolic blood pressure or pulse pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking appeared to confound the association between periodontal condition and blood pressure. Thorough control for the effect of smoking was not obtained using multivariate models.

Construction of a Biological Age Score to Predict Tooth Loss over 10 Years

The aim of the present study was to construct a biological age score reflecting one’s physiologic capability and aging condition with respect to tooth loss over 10 y. From the follow-up to the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (i.e., SHIP-2), 2,049 participants were studied for their baseline biomarker measures 10 y before (i.e., in SHIP-0). Metabolic and periodontal data were regressed onto chronological age to construct a score designated as “biological age.” For either sex separately, the impact of this individualized score was used to predict tooth loss in the follow-up cohort in comparison with each participant’s chronological age. Outcome data after 10 y with respect to tooth loss, periodontitis, obesity, and inflammation were shown to be better for biologically younger subjects than as expected by their chronological age, whereas for the older subjects, data were worse. Especially for tooth loss, a striking increase was observed in subjects whose biological age at baseline appeared to be higher than their chronological age. Biological age produced significantly better tooth loss predictions than chronological age ( P < 0.001). Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves for tooth loss of ≥3 teeth in men during follow-up were 0.811 and 0.745 for biological and chronological age, respectively. For women, these figures were 0.788 and 0.724. For total tooth loss, areas under the curve were 0.890 and 0.749 in men and 0.872 and 0.752 in women. Biological age combines various measures into a single score and allows identifying individuals at increased risk of tooth loss.

Assessment of oral hygiene trends among dental patients in relation to chronic medical conditions by dental students. A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

There is a lack of information about knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding oral hygiene and dietary habits of adult patients attending dental clinical settings. Hypertension, diabetes, obesity and caries are increasing among different populations, resulting in the deterioration of the quality of life related to oral and general health.

OBJECTIVES

To involve second year dental students in assessing oral health knowledge, attitude, behavior, dietary habits and general health of dental patients, and screening for blood pressure, blood glucose level and obesity.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

A convenient sample of 652 adult subjects participated in the study. They were screened, and involved in an interviewer - led questionnaire, led by the students over the period of two successive academic years (2013-2014 and 2014-2015).

RESULTS

Subjects with high blood pressure and /or blood glucose levels were more likely to disagree regarding the presence of a relation between general health and dental health [(correlation coefficient (r) = - 0.159, probability value P < 0.001) (correlation coefficient (r) = - 0.257, probability value P < 0.001) respectively]. Subjects with high BMI were less aware of the importance of using the tooth brush in prevention of gingival inflammation. The overall students' satisfaction score was 71.5%. The practical part of the research had the highest satisfaction score (83.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is scarcity of data regarding dental healthcare knowledge and attitudes in dental clinical settings. Additional clinical training for dental students would increase their willingness to play a preventive and educational role in the oral care of patients.

Association between periodontitis and arterial hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have shown that periodontal diseases are associated with hypertension (HT). However, heterogeneity among populations, diagnosis criteria, and shared risk factors represent some difficulties in terms of interpretation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of the association between periodontal diseases and HT.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic review and meta-analysis, including studies published up to June 2016, have been performed. Sixteen studies assessing the association between periodontal diseases and HT have been included. The meta-analysis considering all included studies (moderate to severe periodontitis) showed that the presence of HT was associated with the presence of periodontal diseases (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.27-1.78). To reduce potential bias, a stratified analysis has been performed illustrating the impact of inclusion criteria and adjustments on the magnitude of the association. Interestingly, when only studies with secure diagnosis of severe periodontitis and HT were considered, an OR=1.64 (95% CI, 1.23-2.19) has been measured.

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontal diseases are associated with a higher risk of HT especially for severe periodontitis. However, no conclusions could be made regarding the causative involvement of periodontal diseases mainly due to the reduced number of available prospective studies and remaining questions regarding underlying biological mechanisms.