Dental caries and periodontitis and the risk of myopia in young adults: CHIEF oral health study

Crosstalk between Myopia and Inflammation: A Mini Review

Myopia represents a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly affecting the ocular health of children and adolescents. The escalating prevalence of myopia in recent years underscores its urgency as a health issue among this demographic. Research indicates a profound connection between the onset of myopia, inflammatory processes and fibrosis. Individuals with inflammatory conditions like allergic conjunctivitis, choroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and diabetes exhibit a heightened susceptibility to myopia. Conversely, myopic patients are at an increased risk of developing ocular inflammatory disorders, notably idiopathic multifocal choroiditis. We postulate that the expression of inflammatory markers, including NF-κB, TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, may contribute to the chronic inflammatory state observed in myopia. This paper highlights a substantial correlation between myopia and inflammation, suggesting the potential efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents in managing inflammation and slowing myopia progression.

Oral health and physical performance in Asian military males: The cardiorespiratory fitness and health in armed forces

Background/purpose

It is unclear about whether the oral health has impact on physical performance. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between oral health and physical performance in 300 military adults in Taiwan.

Materials and methods

Oral health was assessed by the presence of periodontitis and dental caries. The status of cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance capacity was respectively assessed by tertiles of time for a 3000-m run and 2-min push-up numbers. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses with adjustments for age, smoking, alcohol drinking, blood pressure, anthropometric variables, lipid profile, fasting glucose and physical activity were used to determine the association.

Results

Participants with periodontitis were more likely to have worse 3000-m running performance classified in the lowest tertile [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval: 1.94 (1.03, 3.66)]. Participants with any dental caries were more likely to have worse push-ups performance classified in the lowest tertile [OR: 2.50 (1.27, 4.92)]. In linear regression analyses, dental caries numbers were inversely correlated with 2-min push-ups numbers [β = -1.04 (-2.07, -0.01)].

Conclusion

This study suggests that oral health is crucial to maintain physical fitness, and dental caries and periodontitis may affect differently on aerobic and muscular endurance capacities.

Localized periodontitis severity associated with carotid intima-media thickness in young adults: CHIEF atherosclerosis study

This study aimed to investigate the association of periodontitis with subclinical atherosclerosis in young adults. In total, 486 non-diabetic military personnel were included in Taiwan. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was assessed utilizing sonography for subclinical atherosclerosis. Periodontitis severity was defined based on the 2017 US/European consensus. Mean cIMT was compared by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the association of periodontitis severity and the highest quintile of cIMT (≥ 0.8 mm) with adjustments for age, sex, metabolic risk factors and leukocyte counts. The mean cIMT increased in those with greater stages (periodontal health (N = 349): 0.65 mm, Stage I (N = 41): 0.72 mm, Stage II (N = 57): 0.74 mm and Stage III: 0.76 mm, respectively, p < 0.01). In multiple logistic regression, a dose-response association from Stage I to Stage III periodontitis for cIMT ≥ 0.8 mm was also found [ORs and 95% CIs 1.41 (0.60-3.29), 1.62 (0.79-3.31) and 3.20 (1.42-7.18)]. Leucocyte counts ≥ 7.6 × 103/µL (the highest quintile) was associated with cIMT ≥ 0.8 mm [OR 1.86 (1.11-3.12)], while no association existed for other metabolic risk factors. In conclusion, severe periodontitis and leukocyte counts are independent risk factors of increased cIMT, emphasizing the critical role of inflammation in subclinical atherosclerosis.

Associations of decayed teeth and localized periodontitis with mental stress in young adults: CHIEF oral health study

The associations of mental stress with decayed teeth in children and periodontitis in old-aged adults have been described. However, the associations for young adults were not clear. This study aimed to examine the associations of decayed teeth and localized periodontitis with mental stress in young adults. This study included 334 military recruiters, aged 19-45 years in Taiwan. Mental stress was assessed by the brief symptom rating scale-5 (BSRS-5), including five domains: anxiety, depression, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity and insomnia (maximum score of 20). Those with symptomatic mental stress were defined as having BSRS-5 > 5 (n = 34). Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to determine the associations of decayed tooth numbers and periodontitis with BSRS-5, with adjustments for age, sex, education level, physical activity, body weight category and smoking status. The BSRS-5 was positively correlated with decayed tooth numbers [β: 0.26 (95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.52)]. Those who had more than two decayed teeth [odds ratio: 3.59 (1.52-8.46)] had a higher risk of symptomatic mental stress. In contrast, the correlation between BSRS-5 and localized severer periodontitis was null. Our study recommended that decayed teeth instead of localized periodontitis, was a risk factor for mental stress in young adults.