Associations Between Periodontal Disease and Systemic Disease: Evaluating the Strength of the Evidence

Tooth loss and dementia amongst older adults residing in long-term care facilities in Vancouver: A case-control study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this case-control study was to determine the association between dementia and the number of missing teeth, functional occlusal units and denture use in older adults residing in Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities.

BACKGROUND

Many studies have shown an association between dementia and tooth loss. However, few studies with a large sample size have been reported describing the relationship between dementia and the number of missing teeth, remaining teeth and functional occlusal units.

METHODS

An oral health assessment database of 2160 older adults admitted to LTC facilities in Vancouver, Canada, between 2015-2019 was utilised. Participants with a diagnosis of dementia in their medical records (N = 1174) were compared to those without dementia (N = 986). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore a potential association between the number of missing teeth, functional occlusal units and the use of dentures and dementia.

RESULTS

The number of remaining teeth (OR = 1.0, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.0-1.0; P = .054) and number of functional occlusal units (OR = 1.0, 95% CI = 1.0-1.0; P = .059) were not associated with dementia after adjusting for age, sex, oral self-care and systemic conditions. Denture use (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.5-2.4; P = .790) was not associated with dementia in edentulous patients.

CONCLUSION

There was no association between dementia and the number of remaining teeth, functional occlusal units or wearing dentures.

A case of early-onset periodontitis with vitamin D deficiency: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease with multifactorial etiology. Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, has protective effects on inflammatory response in various systemic conditions. The clinical features of vitamin D deficiency include growth failure, hypotonia, pathologic fractures, rachitic rosary, tetany and so on. Here we present a case of 12-year-old girl affected by early-onset periodontitis accompanied with vitamin D deficiency.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 12-year-old girl with gingival redness, bleeding associated with tooth brushing, and mandibular anterior teeth movement, with difficulty in mastication for the past 2 months. There is no relevant family history or special systemic disease history. The serological microelement test showed vitamin D levels were significantly lower than normal range. Immunological test showed abnormal CD4+/CD8+(CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+) ratio as well.

DIAGNOSES

Based on the clinical and serological findings, this patient was ultimately diagnosed with early-onset periodontitis accompanied with vitamin D deficiency.

INTERVENTIONS

The main treatments for this patient were 3-fold: periodontal therapy, vitamin D supplement and oral hygiene instructions.

OUTCOMES

Following 1-year therapy, periodontal conditions recovered and became stable. And serological vitamin D levels returned to normal range.

LESSONS

The case of interest serves as an important reminder to clinicians, that the early-onset periodontitis may be associated with micronutrients abnormalities, and early-diagnosis and treatment could avoid the body heathy disorders.

Photodynamic Therapy with Tolonium Chloride and a Diode Laser (635 nm) in the Non-Surgical Management of Periodontitis: A Clinical Study

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using tolonium chloride and a 635 nm diode laser as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontitis treatment, specifically scaling and root planing (SRP) alone. A total of 32 patients with a pocket probing depth > 5 mm were included in the study. Among them, 16 patients underwent SRP alone (control group), and the remaining 16 patients received SRP along with PDT (study group). The PDT procedure utilized a 635 nm diode laser (Smart M, Lasotronix, Poland) and tolonium chloride. Clinical periodontal parameters, such as the plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival recession (GR), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL), were assessed before treatment (T0) and at 3 months after treatment (T3). At T3, both groups demonstrated a significant reduction in the PI, BOP, PD, and CAL compared to T0. The SRP + PDT group displayed a significant reduction in PPD (3.79 mm ± 0.35) compared to the SRP alone group (4.85 mm ± 0.42) at T3. Furthermore, the SRP + PDT group exhibited a significant reduction in CAL (5.01 ± 0.81) compared to the SRP group (5.99 ± 1.08) at T3. Within the study's limitations, it was concluded that PDT, with tolonium chloride and a 635 nm diode laser, significantly contributed to the non-surgical treatment of periodontitis.

Association of Adiposity with Periodontitis and Metabolic Syndrome: From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of United States

This study explored the epidemiological role of central adiposity and body mass index (BMI) in terms of clinical attachment loss (CAL)/pocket depth (PD) and metabolic syndrome components. This study included data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III of America on 12,254 adults aged 20 years of age or older with a blood sample, anthropometric measurements, and a periodontal examination. Clinical periodontitis measurements, including CAL and PD, were classified into quintiles or quartiles and compared. CAL was positively associated with central adiposity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia; the relationship between CAL and diabetes was stronger when central adiposity was absent (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval: 6.33, 2.14-18.72 vs. 3.14, 1.78-5.56). The relationship between CAL and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) differed slightly with BMI. The IFG ORs for normal, overweight, and obese patients were 1.63 (1.08-2.45), 1.76 (1.05-2.97), and 1.43 (0.88-2.30), respectively. CAL was positively correlated with all metabolic syndrome components except hypertriglyceridemia. Associations between CAL, diabetes, and IFG significantly varied with BMI. Periodontitis in individuals without central obesity or with normal bodyweight may independently indicate diabetes and IFG. Therefore, preventive measures against periodontitis without obesity are necessary to improve general and oral health.

Sodium Hypochlorite and Diode Laser in Non-Surgical Treatment of Periodontitis: Clinical and Bacteriological Study with Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Increasing the disinfection during non-surgical treatment of periodontitis is primordial. This study assesses the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite and a 980 nm diode laser in non-surgical treatment of periodontitis. Thirty sites of localized periodontitis with a probing pocket depth (PPD) of ≥ 6 mm were included. Fifteen underwent scaling root planing (SRP group) and 15 underwent SRP + 0.5% NaOCl and a 980 nm diode laser (study group). A biological molecular test and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed before (T0) and after intervention (T1). Total bacterial count and counts of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia, Peptostreptococcus micros, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Eubacterium nodatum, Capnocytophaga gingivalis were assessed. Plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival recession (GR), PPD and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were evaluated at T0, and 3 and 6 months after. Study group showed a statistically significant reduction of TBC (5.66 × 10⁸ CFU/mL) compared to SRP (6.2 × 10⁹ CFU/mL). Both groups showed a statistically significant reduction of Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia, Peptostrep. (micromonas) micros and Fusobacterium nucleatum; however, a significant reduction of Eubacterium nodatum and Capnocytophaga gingivalis was observed in the study group. At T6, both groups had a statistically significant reduction of PI, BOP, GR, PD and CAL. The study group showed more GR compared to SRP and a significant reduction of PD (4.03 mm ± 0.49) compared to SRP (5.28 mm ± 0.67). This study reveals that NaOCl and a diode laser are effective as an adjunctive to the non-surgical treatment of periodontitis.

Periodontal therapy for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with periodontitis

BACKGROUND

There may be an association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the evidence so far has been uncertain about whether periodontal therapy can help prevent CVD in people diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. This is the third update of a review originally published in 2014, and most recently updated in 2019. Although there is a new multidimensional staging and grading system for periodontitis, we have retained the label 'chronic periodontitis' in this version of the review since available studies are based on the previous classification system.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of periodontal therapy for primary or secondary prevention of CVD in people with chronic periodontitis.

SEARCH METHODS

An information specialist searched five bibliographic databases up to 17 November 2021 and additional search methods were used to identify published, unpublished, and ongoing studies. We also searched the Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the VIP database, and Sciencepaper Online to March 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared active periodontal therapy to no periodontal treatment or a different periodontal treatment. We included studies of participants with a diagnosis of chronic periodontitis, either with CVD (secondary prevention studies) or without CVD (primary prevention studies).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors carried out the study identification, data extraction, and 'Risk of bias' assessment independently and in duplicate. They resolved any discrepancies by discussion, or with a third review author. We adopted a formal pilot-tested data extraction form, and used the Cochrane tool to assess the risk of bias in the studies. We used GRADE criteria to assess the certainty of the evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

There are no new completed RCTs on this topic since we published our last update in 2019. We included two RCTs in the review. One study focused on the primary prevention of CVD, and the other addressed secondary prevention. We evaluated both as being at high risk of bias. Our primary outcomes of interest were death (all-cause and CVD-related) and all cardiovascular events, measured at one-year follow-up or longer. For primary prevention of CVD in participants with periodontitis and metabolic syndrome, one study (165 participants) provided very low-certainty evidence. There was only one death in the study; we were unable to determine whether scaling and root planning plus amoxicillin and metronidazole could reduce incidence of all-cause death (Peto odds ratio (OR) 7.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15 to 376.98), or all CVD-related death (Peto OR 7.48, 95% CI 0.15 to 376.98). We could not exclude the possibility that scaling and root planning plus amoxicillin and metronidazole could increase cardiovascular events (Peto OR 7.77, 95% CI 1.07 to 56.1) compared with supragingival scaling measured at 12-month follow-up. For secondary prevention of CVD, one pilot study randomised 303 participants to receive scaling and root planning plus oral hygiene instruction (periodontal treatment) or oral hygiene instruction plus a copy of radiographs and recommendation to follow-up with a dentist (community care). As cardiovascular events had been measured for different time periods of between 6 and 25 months, and only 37 participants were available with at least one-year follow-up, we did not consider the data to be sufficiently robust for inclusion in this review. The study did not evaluate all-cause death and all CVD-related death. We are unable to draw any conclusions about the effects of periodontal therapy on secondary prevention of CVD.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

For primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people diagnosed with periodontitis and metabolic syndrome, very low-certainty evidence was inconclusive about the effects of scaling and root planning plus antibiotics compared to supragingival scaling. There is no reliable evidence available regarding secondary prevention of CVD in people diagnosed with chronic periodontitis and CVD. Further trials are needed to reach conclusions about whether treatment for periodontal disease can help prevent occurrence or recurrence of CVD.

Inflammation as a link between periodontal disease and obesity

Nutrition plays a critical role in the homeostatic balance, maintenance of health, and longevity. There is a close link between inflammatory diseases and nutritional health. Obesity is a severe pathological process with grave implications on several organ systems and disease processes, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The impact of obesity on periodontal inflammation has not been fully understood; the association between nutritional balance and periodontal inflammation is much less explored. This review is focused on the potential mechanistic links between periodontal diseases and obesity and common inflammatory activity pathways that can be pharmacologically targeted.

A vitronectin-derived peptide prevents and restores alveolar bone loss by modulating bone re-modelling and expression of RANKL and IL-17A

AIM

This study investigated whether a vitronectin-derived peptide (VnP-16) prevents and/or reverses alveolar bone resorption induced by ligature-induced periodontitis in rodents and identified the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the effects of VnP-16 on osteogenic differentiation in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in gingival fibroblasts, and immune response in T lymphocytes. Ligature-induced periodontitis was induced by ligating the bilateral mandibular first molars for 14 days in rats and for 7 days in mice (n = 10/group). VnP-16 (100 μg/10 μl) was applied topically into the gingival sulcus of rats via intra-sulcular injection, whereas the peptide (50 μg/5 μl) was administered directly into the gingiva of mice via intra-gingival injection. To evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of VnP-16, micro-computed tomography analysis and histological staining were then performed.

RESULTS

VnP-16 promoted osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells and inhibited the production of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory mediators in gingival fibroblasts. Concomitantly, VnP-16 modulated the host immune response by reducing the number of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-expressing lipopolysaccharide-stimulated CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, and by suppressing RANKL and interleukin (IL)-17A production. Furthermore, local administration of VnP-16 in rats and mice significantly prevented and reversed alveolar bone loss induced by ligature-induced periodontitis. VnP-16 enhanced osteoblastogenesis and simultaneously inhibited osteoclastogenesis and suppressed RANKL and IL-17A expression in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that VnP-16 acts as a potent therapeutic agent for preventing and treating periodontitis by regulating bone re-modelling and immune and inflammatory responses.

Disinfection Potential of 980 nm Diode Laser and Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) in "Critical Probing Depths" Periodontal Pockets: Retrospective Study

A successful treatment of periodontitis depends largely on the successful elimination of the periodontopathogens during non-surgical and surgical mechanical debridement. In this retrospective study, data collection was conducted from 2017 to 2021. The retrospective study included 128 patients with 128 sites of localized periodontitis with pocket depths > 5 mm. The included data were based on sites that received conventional mechanical debridement followed by different adjunctive approaches. In total, 30 patients did not receive any additional treatment (SRP group), 30 patients received SRP + 980 nm diode laser irradiation only (SRP + laser), 30 patients received SRP + 3% hydrogen peroxide irrigation (SRP + H2O2) only and 30 patients received a combined treatment of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 980 nm diode laser irradiation (SRP + H2O2 + laser). Total bacterial counts (TBC) in the periodontal pocket collected for all participants before treatment, immediately after treatment, 6 weeks after treatment, 12 weeks after treatment and 6 months after treatment were statistically analyzed and compared. When the laser was used, irradiation parameters were 10 μsec/pulse duration, 10 kHz, pick power of 10 W, average power of 1 W, irradiation time of one minute with inward and outward movements, and fiber diameter of 320 μm. The irradiation was repeated 3 times/pocket. When hydrogen peroxide was used, the irrigation was conducted for one minute and repeated 3 times. The maximum reduction in TBC was obtained when SRP was coupled with 3% H2O2 irrigation followed by 980 nm diode laser irradiation. After six months of follow-up, a significant reduction in TBC was obtained for the group of SRP + H2O2 + laser when compared to all the other groups, from 7.27 × 107 before intervention to 3.21 × 107 after six months. All three approaches to SRP showed a significant reduction in TBC immediately after treatment. Values were 3.52 × 107, 4.01 × 106, 9.58 × 106, 1.98 × 106 for SRP alone, SRP + diode, SRP + H2O2 and SRP + H2O2 + diode laser, respectively. At 6 months, we saw no significant difference between SRP + laser and SRP + H2O2 with 4.01 × 107 and 4.32 × 107, respectively. This retrospective study reveals that after SRP, irrigation with 3% hydrogen peroxide and irradiation with a 980 nm diode laser within specific treatment protocol can be used as an additional approach to conventional SRP to increase the disinfection of the periodontal pockets > 5 mm.

The association between vitamin D level and periodontal disease in Saudi population, a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE

Among other regulatory functions, vitamin D has a role in modulating the inflammatory process of periodontal disease. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to assess the relationship between vitamin D levels and periodontal health in dental patients from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

Radiographs and serum vitamin D levels of patients seeking dental treatment were collected. Exclusion criteria were systemic disease, smoking, recent vitamin D supplementation, and previous periodontal surgery. Gender, age, and alveolar crest height (ACH) were recorded. A total of 67 patients were categorized into three groups according to their serum vitamin D level (<10, <20, and > 20 ng/mL) and their bone loss compared.

RESULTS

Differences in means were compared by t-test. ANOVA was used to compare vitamin D groups and the corresponding ACH, as well as the correlation (p < .05). Patients with vitamin D levels > 20 ng/mL demonstrated a mean ACH of 1.6 mm. The mean ACH was 3.1 mm for those with vitamin D levels < 20 ng/mL, and 4.6 mm for vitamin D levels < 10 ng/mL. A weak negative correlation was found between vitamin D and ACH in all groups (r = -0.055, p = .7).

CONCLUSION

Serum vitamin D level seems to be an important factor that influences oral health, especially the periodontal condition, of both male and female patients.

Association between dental diseases and history of stroke in the United States

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the potential association between the dental diseases and self-reported history of stroke in the United States based on data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

METHODS

Data were extracted from NHANES III. Dental variables were carious tooth surfaces, number of missing teeth, gingival bleeding, and periodontal pockets. Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to estimate the effect of these dental diseases on the self-reported history of stroke with intent to adjust for the other potential determinants: age, sex, race, marital status, health insurance, education, exercise, body mass index, smoking, alcohol, hypertension, high serum cholesterol, and diabetes.

RESULTS

Number of missing teeth was found to be significantly associated with the self-reported history of stroke. Associations between the self-reported history of stroke and caries, gingival bleeding, or periodontal pockets were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Number of missing teeth was an independent determinant of the self-reported history of stroke.

Relationship Between Chronic Periodontitis and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Purpose

We investigated the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and chronic periodontitis (CP).

Methods

A total of 103 middle-aged men who had received a health checkup were included. All participant data were prospectively collected. CP was defined as a 30% increase in the number of probed sites with a clinical attachment level of ≥4 mm among all probed sites. LUTS/BPH were assessed using transrectal ultrasonography, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, and postvoiding residual urine volume.

Results

The median age, IPSS, prostate volume, and maximal flow rate were 55.0 years, 9.0, 29.0 mL, and 20.0 mL/sec, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of CP was 27.2%. The IPSS total, IPSS voiding, IPSS storage, and quality of life (QoL) scores were significantly higher in patients with CP (median [interquartile range, IQR]–IPSS total: 8.0 [5.0–13.5] vs. 12.0 [7.5–20.5], P=0.004; IPSS voiding: 5.0 [2.0–9.0] vs. 8.5 [4.0–15.0], P=0.002; IPSS storage: 3.0 [2.0–5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0–6.0], P=0.021; QoL: 2.0 [1.0–3.0] vs. 3.0 [2.0–4.0], P=0.015). Additionally, the average flow rate was significantly lower in patients with CP (median [IQR] (mL/sec): 9.0 [8.0–13.0] vs. 8.0 [6.0–11.0], P=0.047). After adjustment for age, testosterone level, prostate volume, glucose level, cholesterol level, and waist circumference, the IPSS total and voiding scores were significantly and positively related to CP (IPSS total: odds ratio [OR], 1.141; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.045–1.245; P=0.003; IPSS voiding: OR, 1.243; 95% CI, 1.092–1.415; P=0.001).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that LUTS/BPH is significantly related to CP.

Contribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide to experimental periodontitis in relation to aging

Aging is associated with increased prevalence and severity of pathogenic outcomes of periodontal disease, including soft tissue degeneration and bone loss around the teeth. Although lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from the key periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) plays an important role in the promotion of inflammation and osteoclastogenesis via toll-like receptor (TLR)4 signaling, its pathophysiological role in age-associated periodontitis remains unclear. This study investigated the possible effects of Pg-LPS on RANKL-primed osteoclastogenesis and ligature-induced periodontitis in relation to aging using young (2 months old) and aged (24 months old) mice. To the best of our knowledge, our results indicated that expression of TLR4 was significantly diminished on the surface of osteoclast precursors isolated from aged mice compared with that of young mice. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that the TLR4 antagonist (TAK242) dramatically decreased the numbers of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive (TRAP+) osteoclasts differentiated from RANKL-primed young osteoclast precursors (OCPs) compared with those isolated from aged mice in response to Pg-LPS. In addition, using a ligature-induced periodontitis mouse model, we demonstrated that Pg-LPS elevated (1) secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) markers, including the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, as well as osteoclastogenic RANKL, and (2) the number of OCPs and TRAP+ osteoclasts in the periodontal lesion induced in young mice. In contrast, Pg-LPS had little, or no, effect on the promotion of periodontitis inflammation induced in aged mice. Altogether, these results indicated that periodontal disease in older mice occurs in a manner independent of canonical signaling elicited by the Pg-LPS/TLR4 axis.

Periodontal therapy for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with periodontitis

BACKGROUND

There may be an association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the evidence so far has been uncertain about whether periodontal therapy can help prevent CVD in people diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. This is the second update of a review originally published in 2014, and first updated in 2017. Although there is a new multidimensional staging and grading system for periodontitis, we have retained the label 'chronic periodontitis' in this version of the review since available studies are based on the previous classification system.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of periodontal therapy for primary or secondary prevention of CVD in people with chronic periodontitis.

SEARCH METHODS

Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL, two trials registries, and the grey literature to September 2019. We placed no restrictions on the language or date of publication. We also searched the Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the VIP database, and Sciencepaper Online to August 2019.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared active periodontal therapy to no periodontal treatment or a different periodontal treatment. We included studies of participants with a diagnosis of chronic periodontitis, either with CVD (secondary prevention studies) or without CVD (primary prevention studies).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors carried out the study identification, data extraction, and 'Risk of bias' assessment independently and in duplicate. They resolved any discrepancies by discussion, or with a third review author. We adopted a formal pilot-tested data extraction form, and used the Cochrane tool to assess the risk of bias in the studies. We used GRADE criteria to assess the certainty of the evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included two RCTs in the review. One study focused on the primary prevention of CVD, and the other addressed secondary prevention. We evaluated both as being at high risk of bias. Our primary outcomes of interest were death (all-cause and CVD-related) and all cardiovascular events, measured at one-year follow-up or longer. For primary prevention of CVD in participants with periodontitis and metabolic syndrome, one study (165 participants) provided very low-certainty evidence. There was only one death in the study; we were unable to determine whether scaling and root planning plus amoxicillin and metronidazole could reduce incidence of all-cause death (Peto odds ratio (OR) 7.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15 to 376.98), or all CVD-related death (Peto OR 7.48, 95% CI 0.15 to 376.98). We could not exclude the possibility that scaling and root planning plus amoxicillin and metronidazole could increase cardiovascular events (Peto OR 7.77, 95% CI 1.07 to 56.1) compared with supragingival scaling measured at 12-month follow-up. For secondary prevention of CVD, one pilot study randomised 303 participants to receive scaling and root planning plus oral hygiene instruction (periodontal treatment) or oral hygiene instruction plus a copy of radiographs and recommendation to follow-up with a dentist (community care). As cardiovascular events had been measured for different time periods of between 6 and 25 months, and only 37 participants were available with at least one-year follow-up, we did not consider the data to be sufficiently robust for inclusion in this review. The study did not evaluate all-cause death and all CVD-related death. We are unable to draw any conclusions about the effects of periodontal therapy on secondary prevention of CVD.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

For primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people diagnosed with periodontitis and metabolic syndrome, very low-certainty evidence was inconclusive about the effects of scaling and root planning plus antibiotics compared to supragingival scaling. There is no reliable evidence available regarding secondary prevention of CVD in people diagnosed with chronic periodontitis and CVD. Further trials are needed to reach conclusions about whether treatment for periodontal disease can help prevent occurrence or recurrence of CVD.

Vitamin D Deficiency as It Relates to Oral Immunity and Chronic Periodontitis

The biologically active form of vitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and its receptor, the vitamin D receptor (VDR), play roles in maintaining oral immunity and the integrity of the periodontium. Results of observational cross-sectional clinical studies investigating the association between vitamin D serum level and the incidence and severity of chronic periodontitis indicate that, perhaps owing to the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of 1,25(OH)2 D/VDR signalling, a sufficient serum level of vitamin D is necessary for the maintenance of periodontal health. In cases of established chronic periodontitis, vitamin D supplementation is associated with reduction in the severity of periodontitis. As cross-sectional studies provide only weak evidence for any causal association and therefore are of questionable value, either longitudinal cohort studies, case controlled studies, or randomized control trials are needed to determine whether or not deficiency of vitamin D is a risk factor for chronic periodontitis, and whether or not vitamin D supplementation adjunctive to standard periodontal treatment is in any way beneficial. In this article, we discuss the relationship between vitamin D, oral immunity and periodontal disease and review the rationale for using vitamin D supplementation to help maintain periodontal health and as an adjunct to standard periodontal treatment.

The Biological Activities of Vitamin D and Its Receptor in Relation to Calcium and Bone Homeostasis, Cancer, Immune and Cardiovascular Systems, Skin Biology, and Oral Health

Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, with the capacity to modulate innate and adaptive immune function, cardiovascular function, and proliferation and differentiation of both normal and malignant keratinocytes. 1,25(OH)2D, the biologically active form of vitamin D, exerts most of its functions through the almost universally distributed nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). Upon stimulation by 1,25(OH)2D, VDR forms a heterodimer with the retinoid X receptor (RXR). In turn, VDR/RXR binds to DNA sequences termed vitamin D response elements in target genes, regulating gene transcription. In order to exert its biological effects, VDR signalling interacts with other intracellular signalling pathways. In some cases 1,25(OH)2D exerts its biological effects without regulating either gene expression or protein synthesis. Although the regulatory role of vitamin D in many biological processes is well documented, there is not enough evidence to support the therapeutic use of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention or treatment of infectious, immunoinflammatory, or hyperproliferative disorders. In this review we highlight the effects of 1,25(OH)2D on bone and calcium homeostasis, on cancer, and refer to its effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems.

OC-STAMP promotes osteoclast fusion for pathogenic bone resorption in periodontitis via up-regulation of permissive fusogen CD9

Cell fusion-mediated formation of multinuclear osteoclasts (OCs) plays a key role in bone resorption. It is reported that 2 unique OC-specific fusogens [ i.e., OC-stimulatory transmembrane protein (OC-STAMP) and dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP)], and permissive fusogen CD9, are involved in OC fusion. In contrast to DC-STAMP-knockout (KO) mice, which show the osteopetrotic phenotype, OC-STAMP-KO mice show no difference in systemic bone mineral density. Nonetheless, according to the ligature-induced periodontitis model, significantly lower level of bone resorption was found in OC-STAMP-KO mice compared to WT mice. Anti-OC-STAMP-neutralizing mAb down-modulated in vitro: 1) the emergence of large multinuclear tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells, 2) pit formation, and 3) mRNA and protein expression of CD9, but not DC-STAMP, in receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-stimulated OC precursor cells (OCps). While anti-DC-STAMP-mAb also down-regulated RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro, it had no effect on CD9 expression. In our mouse model, systemic administration of anti-OC-STAMP-mAb suppressed the expression of CD9 mRNA, but not DC-STAMP mRNA, in periodontal tissue, along with diminished alveolar bone loss and reduced emergence of CD9⁺ OCps and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinuclear OCs. The present study demonstrated that OC-STAMP partners CD9 to promote periodontal bone destruction by up-regulation of fusion during osteoclastogenesis, suggesting that anti-OC-STAMP-mAb may lead to the development of a novel therapeutic regimen for periodontitis.-Ishii, T., Ruiz-Torruella, M., Ikeda, A., Shindo, S., Movila, A., Mawardi, H., Albassam, A., Kayal, R. A., Al-Dharrab, A. A., Egashira, K., Wisitrasameewong, W., Yamamoto, K., Mira, A. I., Sueishi, K., Han, X., Taubman, M. A., Miyamoto, T., Kawai, T. OC-STAMP promotes osteoclast fusion for pathogenic bone resorption in periodontitis via up-regulation of permissive fusogen CD9.

Oral Health and Brain Injury: Causal or Casual Relation?

Background

To systematically review the current literature investigating the association between oral health and acquired brain injury.

Methods

A structured search strategy was applied to PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL electronic databases until March 2017 by 2 independent reviewers. The preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines were used for systematic review.

Results

Even though the objective was to assess the association between oral health and acquired brain injury, eligible studies focused solely on different forms of stroke and stroke subtypes. Stroke prediction was associated with various factors such as number of teeth, periodontal conditions (even after controlling for confounding factors), clinical attachment loss, antibody levels to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Prevotella intermedia. The literature showed no consensus on the possible association between gingivitis and stroke. Patients with stroke generally had poorer oral hygiene practices and oral health. Dental prophylaxis and professional intervention reduced the incidence of stroke.

Conclusions

Overall, oral health and stroke were related. Periodontitis and tooth loss were independently associated with stroke. However, prevention and timely intervention may reduce the risk of stroke. Stroke was the main cerebral lesion studied in the literature, with almost no publications on other brain lesions.

Periodontal therapy for the management of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic periodontitis

BACKGROUND

There is an association between chronic periodontitis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it is not known whether periodontal therapy could prevent or manage CVD in patients with chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of periodontal therapy in preventing the occurrence of, and management or recurrence of, CVD in patients with chronic periodontitis.

SEARCH METHODS

Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched the following databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register (to 31 August 2017), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (the Cochrane Library, 2017, Issue 7), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 31 August 2017), Embase Ovid (1980 to 31 August 2017) and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL EBSCO) (1937 to 31 August 2017) . The US National Institutes of Health Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov), the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and Open Grey were searched for ongoing trials. No restrictions were placed on the language or date of publication when searching the electronic databases.We also searched the Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (1978 to 27 August 2017), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1994 to 27 August 2017), the VIP database (1989 to 27 August 2017) and Sciencepaper Online (2003 to 27 August 2017).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs were considered eligible. Studies were selected if they included patients with a diagnosis of chronic periodontitis and previous CVD (secondary prevention studies) or no CVD (primary prevention studies); patients in the intervention group received active periodontal therapy compared to maintenance therapy, no periodontal treatment or another kind of periodontal treatment in the control group.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors carried out the study identification, data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently and in duplicate. Any discrepancies between the two authors were resolved by discussion or with a third review author. A formal pilot-tested data extraction form was adopted for the data extraction, and the Cochrane tool for risk of bias assessment was used for the critical appraisal of the literature.

MAIN RESULTS

No studies were identified that assessed primary prevention of CVD in people with periodontitis. One study involving 303 participants with ≥ 50% blockage of one coronary artery or a coronary event within three years, but not the three months prior, was included. The study was at high risk of bias due to deviation from the protocol treatment allocation and lack of follow-up data. The trial compared scaling and root planing (SRP) with community care for a follow-up period of six to 25 months. No data on deaths (all-cause or CVD-related) were reported. There was insufficient evidence to determine the effect of SRP and community care in reducing the risk of CVD recurrence in patients with chronic periodontitis (risk ratio (RR) 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23 to 2.22; very low quality evidence). The effects of SRP compared with community care on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (mean difference (MD) 0.62; -1.45 to 2.69), the number of patients with high hs-CRP (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.32 to 1.85) and adverse events (RR 9.06; 95% CI 0.49 to 166.82) were also not statistically significant. The study did not assess modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, other blood test results, heart function parameters or revascularisation procedures.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found very low quality evidence that was insufficient to support or refute whether periodontal therapy can prevent the recurrence of CVD in the long term in patients with chronic periodontitis. No evidence on primary prevention was found.

Periodontitis and risk of psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between periodontitis and systemic diseases has been increasingly recognized. However, the data on the association between periodontitis and psoriasis are still limited.

OBJECTIVES

To summarize all available data on the association between periodontitis and the risk of psoriasis.

METHODS

Two investigators independently searched published studies indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to July 2016 using a search strategy that included terms for psoriasis and periodontitis. Studies were included if the following criteria were met: (i) case-control or cohort study comparing the risk of psoriasis in subjects with and without periodontitis; (ii) subjects without periodontitis were used as comparators in cohort studies while participants without psoriasis were used as controls in case-control studies; and (iii) effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were provided. Point estimates and standard errors from each study were extracted and combined together using the generic inverse variance technique described by DerSimonian and Laird.

RESULTS

Two cohort studies and three case-control studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled risk ratio of psoriasis in patients with periodontitis versus comparators was 1.55 (95% CI, 1.35-1.77). The statistical heterogeneity was insignificant with an I2 of 18%. Subgroup analysis according to study design revealed a significantly higher risk among patients with periodontitis with a pooled RR of 1.50 (95% CI, 1.37-1.64) for cohort studies and a pooled RR of 2.33 (95% CI, 1.51-3.60) for case-control studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with periodontitis have a significantly elevated risk of psoriasis.

Periodontitis and Systemic Disease: Association or Causality?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim was to assess recent evidence that diabetes, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity impact the progression of periodontitis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Electronic searches using Embase, Medline, and Web of Science were carried out for epidemiological studies on humans, published between 2014 and 2016. A small number of prospective studies and systematic reviews were identified that in general provide further support for the hypothesis that diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity can adversely affect the periodontal condition.

SUMMARY

Confounding remains the most challenging issue in the interpretation of the associations found between diabetes, MetS, obesity and periodontal disease. Recent research applying a Mendelian randomisation approach concluded that the association between obesity and periodontitis is confounded and questioned a role for obesity in causation. Further studies are warranted to assess the issue of causality.

Obesity, Inflammation, and Periodontal Disease

The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially over the past decades in most industrialized countries. Obesity is a systemic disease that predisposes to a variety of co-morbidities and complications that affect overall health. Cross-sectional studies suggest that obesity is also associated with oral diseases, particularly periodontal disease, and prospective studies suggest that periodontitis may be related to cardiovascular disease. The possible causal relationship between obesity and periodontitis and potential underlying biological mechanisms remain to be established; however, the adipose tissue actively secretes a variety of cytokines and hormones that are involved in inflammatory processes, pointing toward similar pathways involved in the pathophysiology of obesity, periodontitis, and related inflammatory diseases. We provide an overview of the definition and assessment of obesity and of related chronic diseases and complications that may be important in the periodontist’s office. Studies that have examined the association between obesity and periodontitis are reviewed, and adipose-tissue-derived hormones and cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and their relationship to periodontitis are discussed. Our aim is to raise the periodontist’s awareness when treating obese individuals.

Periodontitis, cardiovascular disease and pregnancy outcome--focal infection revisited?

Over the last two decades there has been a renewed interest around the possible effects of periodontal disease on both cardiovascular health and pregnancy outcome (among other diseases), a topic which has interested science for hundreds of years. These have led to a range of studies, workshops and consensus documents being published, with corresponding coverage in general and professional media. In this article the authors summarise the history and supporting theories behind such associations, whether clinical studies have been able to confirm these and what this might mean for general practitioners who are questioned on this topic by patients.

Evaluation of a New Self-Reported Tool for Periodontitis Screening

INTRODUCTION

Periodontitis is still highly prevalent in industrial population whereas at the same time appropriate screening programs are missing.

AIM

To evaluate, a self-reported questionnaire about periodontal risk factors in combination with the Periodontal Screening Index (PSI) to identify an existing need for periodontal treatment combined with the early recognition of high-risk patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Total 200 patients took part in the questionnaire based study and were examined using the PSI. Thereafter the participants were divided into two groups, subjects with periodontitis (Group 1; PSI 0-2) and subjects without periodontitis (Group 2; PSI 3-4). The answers were evaluated using a point system ranging from 0 to 8, based on known periodontal risk factors and their assumed degree of influence. Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were applied to examine the overall discriminatory power, sensitivity, specificity and corresponding cut-off points of the self-reported periodontal disease scale.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between Group 1 and 2 concerning the majority of the inquired items (12 of 16, p<0.05). The distribution of the individual total score exhibited a high statistical significance (p<0.001) of robustness in terms of differing definitions of periodontitis. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 0.912 with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 76%.

CONCLUSION

The questionnaire produced a reliable assessment of the individual risk (total score) and the need for periodontal treatment as well as the differentiation between gingivitis and periodontitis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Patient-based data (clinical variables and periodontal risk factors of periodontitis) were adequate to make a preliminary assessment of a possible need for periodontal treatment.

The epidemiological evidence behind the association between periodontitis and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to systematically review the epidemiological evidence for an association between periodontitis (PD) and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease.

METHODS

Systematic review of cohort and case-control studies on the association of clinically or radiographically diagnosed PD and ACVD.

RESULTS

Overall, 12 studies were included in this study (six studies on CHD, three studies on cerebrovascular disease, two studies on both coronary heart and cerebrovascular disease mortality and one study on peripheral arterial disease).All but one study reported positive associations between various periodontal disease measures and the incidence of ACVD, at least in specific subgroups. The association was stronger in younger adults and there was no evidence for an association between PD and incident CHD in subjects older than 65 years. Only one study evaluated the association between PD and secondary cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence for an increased risk of ACVD in patients with PD compared to patients without. However, this may not apply to all groups of the population. There is insufficient evidence for an association between PD and the incidence of secondary cardiovascular events.

Periodontal systemic associations: review of the evidence

AIM

To critically appraise recent research into associations between periodontal disease and systemic diseases and conditions specifically respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cognitive impairment, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cancer.

METHODS

A MEDLINE literature search of papers published between 2002 and April 2012 was conducted. Studies that included periodontitis as an exposure were identified. Cross-sectional epidemiological investigations on large samples, prospective studies and systematic reviews formed the basis of the narrative review. A threshold set for the identification of periodontitis was used to identify those studies that contributed to the conclusions of the review.

RESULTS

Many of the investigations were cross-sectional secondary analyses of existing data sets in particular the NHANES studies. There were a small number of systematic reviews and prospective studies. There was substantial variability in the definitions of exposure to periodontitis. A small number of studies met the threshold set for periodontitis and supported associations; however, in some of the chronic diseases there were no such studies. There was strong evidence from randomized controlled trials that interventions, which improve oral hygiene have positive effects on the prevention of nosocomial pneumonias.

CONCLUSIONS

There was substantial heterogeneity in the definitions used to identify periodontitis and very few studies met a stringent threshold for periodontitis. Published evidence supports modest associations between periodontitis and some, although not all, of the diseases and conditions reviewed. There is a need to reach a consensus on what constitutes periodontitis for future studies of putative associations with systemic diseases.

Periodontal systemic associations: review of the evidence

AIM

To critically appraise recent research into associations between periodontal disease and systemic diseases and conditions specifically respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cognitive impairment, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cancer.

METHODS

A MEDLINE literature search of papers published between 2002 and April 2012 was conducted. Studies that included periodontitis as an exposure were identified. Cross-sectional epidemiological investigations on large samples, prospective studies and systematic reviews formed the basis of the narrative review. A threshold set for the identification of periodontitis was used to identify those studies that contributed to the conclusions of the review.

RESULTS

Many of the investigations were cross-sectional secondary analyses of existing data sets in particular the NHANES studies. There were a small number of systematic reviews and prospective studies. There was substantial variability in the definitions of exposure to periodontitis. A small number of studies met the threshold set for periodontitis and supported associations; however, in some of the chronic diseases there were no such studies. There was strong evidence from randomized controlled trials that interventions, which improve oral hygiene have positive effects on the prevention of nosocomial pneumonias.

CONCLUSIONS

There was substantial heterogeneity in the definitions used to identify periodontitis and very few studies met a stringent threshold for periodontitis. Published evidence supports modest associations between periodontitis and some, although not all, of the diseases and conditions reviewed. There is a need to reach a consensus on what constitutes periodontitis for future studies of putative associations with systemic diseases.

The epidemiological evidence behind the association between periodontitis and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to systematically review the epidemiological evidence for an association between periodontitis (PD) and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease.

METHODS

Systematic review of cohort and case-control studies on the association of clinically or radiographically diagnosed PD and ACVD.

RESULTS

Overall, 12 studies were included in this study (six studies on CHD, three studies on cerebrovascular disease, two studies on both coronary heart and cerebrovascular disease mortality and one study on peripheral arterial disease). All but one study reported positive associations between various periodontal disease measures and the incidence of ACVD, at least in specific subgroups. The association was stronger in younger adults and there was no evidence for an association between PD and incident CHD in subjects older than 65 years. Only one study evaluated the association between PD and secondary cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence for an increased risk of ACVD in patients with PD compared to patients without. However, this may not apply to all groups of the population. There is insufficient evidence for an association between PD and the incidence of secondary cardiovascular events.

Clinical research activity in periodontal medicine: a systematic mapping of trial registers

AIM

The primary aim of the study was to systematically map registration records on periodontal medicine in clinical trial registers. The secondary aim was to assess the evolution of periodontal medicine in clinical periodontal research as a whole.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We searched all registration records related to periodontology in the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. For registration records classified in the field of periodontal medicine, we assigned the 2015 MeSH(®) term for the most precisely corresponding systemic condition.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven systemic conditions have been hypothesized to be linked with periodontal diseases, covering nearly 2% of the diseases indexed in MeSH. In addition to diabetes, cardiovascular disease or preterm birth, other systemic conditions have been the subject of registration records, such as anaemia, liver diseases, dyspepsia or ankylosing spondylitis. A trend towards increasing diversification of systemic conditions has appeared over time. About a third of registration records in clinical periodontal research deals with periodontal medicine.

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontal medicine now constitutes an important part of clinical periodontal research. Research activity in periodontal medicine has grown continuously since the early 2000s, and exploration of registers gives a useful up-to-date snapshot of this constantly evolving field of research.

Relationship between removable prosthesis and some systemics disorders

This article reviews the dental literature concerning the potential impact of the removable prosthesis (RP) on the health status of patients with certain systemic diseases. Literature was surveyed using Medline/PubMed database resources, as well as a manual search, up to 2015 to identify appropriate articles that addressed the aim of this review. The research used keywords about associations between RP and six pathologies: Human immunodeficiency virus infection, diabetes mellitus, pulmonary diseases, gastric-Helicobacter pylori, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Analysis of literature showed that in patients with dentures having one or more of the six general conditions listed, Candida albicans organism is more frequently found in the oral flora compared to healthy denture wearer. Although causality has not been established and pending further research on this topic, the hygienic practices necessary to minimize the risk of numerous pathologies should be strengthened in the case of these patients, all the more in the presence of physical or psychological disability. The relationship between the general diseases and increasing of oral candidiasis denture patients is not explained. Therefore, attention to oral hygiene and professional care for removing C. albicans may be beneficial in these medically compromised patients.

Relationship of Bone Metabolism Biomarkers and Periodontal Disease: The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study

CONTEXT

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of tooth-supporting tissue leading to bone destruction and tooth loss. Periodontitis affects almost 50% of adults greater than 30 years of age.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the association between biomarkers linked to bone formation and resorption with the occurrence and progression of periodontal disease in older men (≥ 65 y).

DESIGN

The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study is a prospective, observational study among men 65 years of age and older.

SETTING

This ancillary study, Oral and Skeletal Bone Loss in Older Men, was conducted at two of the six MrOS study sites (Birmingham, AL and Portland, OR).

PATIENTS

Patients underwent medical and dental evaluation. Diagnoses of periodontitis were based on clinical attachment loss, pocket depth, calculus, plaque, and bleeding on a random half-mouth. Bone metabolism biomarkers included serum levels of calcium, phosphate (Pi), alkaline phosphatase, albumin, carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX), N-terminal propeptides of type I procollagen, isoform 5b of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and urine alpha- carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (alpha-CTX) and beta-CTX and serum levels of calciotropic hormones vitamin D (25(OH)D) and PTH.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The aim of this study is to correlate bone metabolism biomarkers with prevalence and progression of periodontal disease in older men.

RESULTS

Patients with more severe periodontitis had significantly higher levels of PTH (P trend = .0004), whereas 25(OH)D was lower (P trend = .001). In a subset of men reevaluated at a second dental visit, improvement of periodontitis was associated with lower alpha-CTX, beta-CTX, and CTX levels at baseline after adjusting for age, site, and body mass index.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that a distinct set of biomarkers of bone metabolism are associated with more severe periodontal disease (PTH, 25(OH)D) and periodontal progression (alpha-CTX, beta-CTX, and CTX) over time.

Do salivary and serum collagenases have a role in an association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and periodontal disease? A preliminary case-control study

OBJECTIVES

Despite increasing evidence for an association of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and periodontal disease, the pathophysiological linking mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the salivary and serum matrix metalloproteinase-2, -8, -9 (MMP-2, -8, -9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), as well as degree of activation of MMP-2, -9 of patients with and without OSAS.

DESIGN

A total of 50 individuals were included in the study. There were 13, 17 and 20 individuals, respectively in the control (non-OSAS) group, mild-to-moderate OSAS and severe OSAS groups. Saliva, serum samples and clinical periodontal parameters were collected. Biofluid samples were analysed by immunofluorometric assay (IFMA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western immunoblotting and gelatine zymography. Statistical analyses were performed using D'Agostino-Pearson omnibus normality test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman rho rank correlation analysis.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in clinical periodontal parameters between the study groups. Salivary NE and proMMP-2 levels were significantly lower in the OSAS groups than the control group (p<0.05). Serum proMMP-9 concentration and the degree of MMP-9 activation in saliva were significantly lower in the severe OSAS group than the control group (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between salivary and serum proMMP-9 and -2 concentrations (p<0.05). Serum proMMP-2, NE and salivary proMMP-9 and -2 negatively correlated with indicators of OSAS severity (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings do not support a pathophysiological link between the severity of OSAS and clinical periodontal status via neutrophil enzymes or MMPs.

Periodontal therapy for the management of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic periodontitis

BACKGROUND

There is an association between chronic periodontitis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it is not known whether periodontal therapy could prevent or manage CVD in patients with chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of periodontal therapy in preventing the occurrence of, and management or recurrence of, CVD in patients with chronic periodontitis.

SEARCH METHODS

The electronic databases that were searched were the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register (to 7 April 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2014, Issue 3), MEDLINE via OVID (1946 to 7 April 2014), EMBASE via OVID (1980 to 7 April 2014), CINAHL via EBSCO (1937 to 7 April 2014), OpenGrey (to 7 April 2014), the Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (1978 to April 2014), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1994 to April 2014) and the VIP database (1989 to April 2014). We searched the US National Institutes of Health Trials Register, the World Health Organization (WHO) Clinical Trials Registry Platform and Sciencepaper Online for ongoing trials. No restrictions were placed on the language or date of publication when searching the electronic databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs were considered eligible. Studies were selected if they included patients with a diagnosis of chronic periodontitis and previous CVD (secondary prevention studies) or no CVD (primary prevention studies); patients in the intervention group received active periodontal therapy compared to maintenance therapy, no periodontal treatment or another kind of periodontal treatment in the control group.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors carried out the study identification, data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently and in duplicate. Any discrepancies between the two authors were resolved by discussion or with a third review author. A formal pilot-tested data extraction form was adopted for the data extraction, and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for risk of bias assessment was used for the critical appraisal of the literature.

MAIN RESULTS

No studies were identified that assessed primary prevention of CVD in people with periodontitis. One study involving 303 participants with ≥ 50% blockage of one coronary artery or a coronary event within three years, but not the three months prior, was included. The study was at high risk of bias due to deviation from the protocol treatment allocation and lack of follow-up data. The trial compared scaling and root planing (SRP) with community care for a follow-up period of six to 25 months. No data on deaths (all-cause or CVD-related) were reported. There was insufficient evidence to determine the effect of SRP and community care in reducing the risk of CVD recurrence in patients with chronic periodontitis (risk ratio (RR) 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23 to 2.22; very low quality evidence). The effects of SRP compared with community care on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (mean difference (MD) 0.62; -1.45 to 2.69), the number of patients with high hs-CRP (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.32 to 1.85) and adverse events (RR 9.06; 95% CI 0.49 to 166.82) were also not statistically significant. The study did not assess modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, other blood test results, heart function parameters or revascularisation procedures.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found very low quality evidence that was insufficient to support or refute whether periodontal therapy can prevent the recurrence of CVD in the long term in patients with chronic periodontitis. No evidence on primary prevention was found.

The influence of prevalent cohort bias in the association between periodontal disease progression and incident coronary heart disease

PURPOSE

In longitudinal studies, the onset of the index condition (e.g. exposure) does not always coincide with the start of a study's observation period, leading to the possibility of bias in estimation that derives from studying prevalent exposure rather than new exposure. We investigate the possible role of this bias in the relationship between periodontitis progression and coronary heart disease (CHD) among a cohort of men participating in the Veterans Administration Dental Longitudinal Study.

METHODS

At baseline, there were 298 men with existing (i.e., prevalent) periodontitis. During follow-up, routine dental inspection identified 163 new (i.e., incident) cases of periodontitis. Change in mean alveolar bone loss score (MBLS) served as the measure of disease progression. Tabular analyses were performed to obtain crude, stratified, and adjusted measures of the association for periodontitis cases overall and separately for prevalent and incident cases. Potential bias was evaluated by comparing estimates across these subcohorts.

RESULTS

Among all periodontitis cases, increasing MBLS was associated with increasing risk of CHD event. Subdividing periodontal cases into new and prevalent cases revealed that the relationship was most pronounced among incident periodontitis cases (incident rate ratio for MBLS change >0.5 = 5.4), compared with prevalent cases (incident rate ratio for MBLS change >0.5 = 2.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Studying prevalent cases of periodontitis underestimates the association between incidence periodontitis and CHD.

Salivary cytokines and the association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and periodontal disease

BACKGROUND

A higher prevalence of periodontal disease has been reported in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and these two chronic conditions may be linked via inflammatory pathways. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the salivary interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-21, IL-33, and pentraxin-3 (PTX3) concentrations in patients with and without OSAS.

METHODS

A total of 52 patients were included in the study. Thirteen individuals were in the control (non-OSAS) group, 17 were in the mild/moderate OSAS group, and 22 were in the severe OSAS group. Clinical periodontal measurements were recorded, and saliva samples were obtained before initiation of periodontal intervention. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine salivary cytokine concentrations. Data were statistically analyzed using D'Agostino-Pearson omnibus normality, Spearman ρ rank, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn tests.

RESULTS

Salivary IL-6 and IL-33 concentrations were similar in the two OSAS groups (P >0.05), which were statistically higher than the control group (P <0.05). IL-1β, IL-21, and PTX3 concentrations were similar in the study groups. The only significant correlation between clinical periodontal parameters and salivary cytokines was found between clinical attachment level (CAL) and IL-21 (P = 0.02). Highly significant correlations were found between probing depth, CAL measures, and indicators of OSAS severity (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that OSAS may have an increasing effect on salivary IL-6 and IL-33 concentrations regardless of OSAS severity. Additional investigation is required to elucidate a potential bidirectional relationship between OSAS and periodontal disease.

Serum C-reactive protein and immunoglobulin G antibodies to periodontal pathogens may be effect modifiers of periodontitis and hyperglycemia

BACKGROUND

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is elevated in both periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus through inflammation. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis have been found in periodontal pockets in patients with diabetes. This study examines effect modification by examining the extent to which the associations between periodontitis and hyperglycemia were different by levels of serum CRP and periodontal pathogens.

METHODS

Blood samples with plasma were evaluated for immunoglobulin G antibodies, CRP, and fasting glucose from 5,731 participants ≥ 20 years old receiving oral examinations and providing other health-related data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. The study participants were classified into quartiles of probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). The first quartile was the reference. Logistic regression models with survey procedures were used to explore the roles of inflammation levels from serum CRP and periodontal pathogens on the relations with periodontitis, including PD, CAL, and hyperglycemia, and their joint associations with interaction terms.

RESULTS

Stronger associations between PD and diabetes existed in people having elevated CRP and titers for P. gingivalis; odds ratios comparing extreme quartiles of PD were 1.31 and 3.40 in the groups with low and high CRP, respectively, and 1.28 and 2.96 in groups with low and high titers for P. gingivalis, respectively. The joint association patterns were similar for CAL and diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

The strengths of association between periodontitis and diabetes were stronger in people having elevated serum CRP and P. gingivalis titers. This may suggest that chronic inflammatory conditions could increase the impact of periodontitis on hyperglycemic status.

The effects of chronic periodontitis and its treatment on the subsequent risk of psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Although psoriasis and chronic periodontitis (CP) may share an underlying immune dysregulation as part of their pathologies, to date only one small-scale cross-sectional pilot study has investigated the potential association between CP and psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the subsequent risk for psoriasis following a diagnosis of CP by utilizing a cohort study design and population-based dataset in Taiwan.

METHODS

In total, 115 365 patients with CP were included in the study cohort and 115 365 patients without CP were included in the comparison cohort. We individually tracked each patient for a 5-year period to identify those who had subsequently received a diagnosis of psoriasis. A Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to compute the 5-year risk of subsequent psoriasis following a diagnosis of CP.

RESULTS

We found that the incidence rate of psoriasis during the 5-year follow-up period was 1·88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·77-1·99] per 1000 person-years in patients with CP and 1·22 (95% CI 1·14-1·32) per 1000 person-years in comparison patients. After censoring those who died during the follow-up period, and adjusting for monthly income and geographical region, compared with comparison patients, the hazard ratio (HR) of psoriasis for patients with CP was 1·52 (95% CI 1·38-1·70). Furthermore, the study subjects who had undergone a gingivectomy or periodontal flap operation had only a slightly higher adjusted risk of psoriasis than comparison patients (HR 1·26).

CONCLUSIONS

This study detected an increased risk for psoriasis among patients with CP. Treatment for CP attenuated, but did not nullify, the risk for subsequent psoriasis.

Chronic periodontitis and the subsequent risk of trigeminal neuralgia: a 5-year follow-up study

AIM

This study set out to explore the possibility that chronic periodontitis (CP) may also be a condition that could potentially result in secondary or symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) by utilizing a population-based dataset and cohort study design in Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included 110,104 subjects with CP in our study cohort, and randomly selected 110,104 subjects without a history of CP as a comparison cohort. We individually tracked each patient in this study for a 5-year period to identify those who received a subsequent diagnosis of TN.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of TN during the 5-year follow-up period was 4.40 (95% CI = 3.87-4.98) per 10,000 person-years for subjects with CP, and 2.60 (95% CI = 2.20-3.05) per 10,000 person-years in comparison subjects. Cox proportional analysis revealed that the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of TN during the 5-year follow-up period for subjects with CP was 1.65 (95% CI = 1.34-2.03) times higher than that of comparison subjects. However, the study subjects who had undergone a gingivectomy or periodontal flap operation did not have a higher adjusted risk of TN than comparison subjects (HR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.54-1.61).

CONCLUSION

Our study detected a greater risk for TN among patients with CP than matched comparison subjects.

Obesity, periodontal and general health: Relationship and management

Obesity is a multifaceted subject. It has increased at an alarming rate in recent years. Being overweight increases the likelihood of a patient having associated health and social problems which may affect dental services and dental management. A review of the literature on obesity and periodontal disease suggested that they both confound each other and obesity itself has been recognized as a major risk factor for periodontal disease. It has been found that adverse effects of obesity on the periodontium may be mediated through pro-inflammatory cytokines and various other bioactive substances. This article tries to focus on the possible role of obesity and obesity-related diseases like diabetes and coronary heart diseases (CHD), as a potential contributor to periodontal disease and vice versa. The meanings of these associations can be useful for various diagnostic and treatment planning purposes.

Obesity and periodontal disease

Obesity is characterized by the abnormal or excessive deposition of fat in the adipose tissue. Its consequences go far beyond adverse metabolic effects on health, causing an increase in oxidative stress, which leads not only to endothelial dysfunction but also to negative effects in relation to periodontitis, because of the increase in proinflammatory cytokines. Thus obesity appears to participate in the multifactorial phenomenon of causality of periodontitis through the increased production of reactive oxygen species. The possible causal relationship between obesity and periodontitis and potential underlying biological mechanisms remain to be established; however, the adipose tissue actively secretes a variety of cytokines and hormones that are involved in inflammatory processes, pointing toward similar pathways involved in the pathophysiology of obesity, periodontitis and related inflammatory diseases. So the aim of this article is to get an overview of the association between obesity and periodontitis and to review adipose-tissue – derived hormones and cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and their relationship to periodontitis.