Vitamin D status and 5-year changes in periodontal disease measures among postmenopausal women: the Buffalo OsteoPerio Study

Association of Serum Vitamin D With Periodontal Disease

OBJECTIVE

There are conflicting reports on the relationship between vitamin D and periodontal disease. Our research is intended to further analyse the association between serum 25(OH)D3, a vitamin D precursor and periodontal disease based on a large national survey sample in Japan.

METHODS

We downloaded the 2009-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle, which included a total of 23,324 samples. Logistic regression of factors influencing perioral disease including periodntal disease, and subgroup logistic regression were performed to analyse the relationship between serum vitamin D and perioral disease, using WTMEC2YR as weights for regression analysis. Then machine learning model-based prediction of perioral disease onset was performed, and the machine learning algorithms used included boost tree, artificial neural network, AdaBoost, and random forest.

RESULTS

We evaluated the vitamin D, age, sex, race, education, marriage, body mass index, ratio of family income to poverty (PIR), smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and hypertension as variables in the included samples. Vitamin D was negatively associated with perioral disease; compared with Q1, the odds ratios and 95% CI were 0.8 (0.67-0.96) for Q2, 0.84 (0.71-1.00) for Q3, and 0.74 (0.6-0.92) for Q4 (P for trend <.05), respectively. The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the effect of 25(OH)D3 on periodontal disease was more pronounced in women younger than 60 years. Based on the accuracy and receiver operating characteristic curve, we concluded that a boost tree was a relatively good model to predict periodontal disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D might be a protective factor for periodontal disease, and boost tree analysis we emplyed was a relatively good model to predict perioral disease.

Influence of Vitamin D on Periodontal Inflammation: A Review

The active form of vitamin D is the hormonally active 1,25(OH)2D3 (Vit D) vitamin, which plays an important role in bone biology and host immunity. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a nuclear ligand-dependent transcription factor expressed by many cells. Ligation of VDR by VitD regulates a wide plethora of genes and physiologic functions through the formation of the complex Vit D-VDR signaling cascade. The influence of Vit D-VDR signaling in host immune response to microbial infection has been of interest to many researchers. This is particularly important in oral health and diseases, as oral mucosa is exposed to a complex microbiota, with certain species capable of causing disruption to immune homeostasis. In this review, we focus on the immune modulatory roles of Vit D in the bone degenerative oral disease, periodontitis.

The role of vitamin D in periodontal health and disease

Vitamin D plays an essential role in calcium and bone metabolism, immune regulation and possesses profound anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence suggests that low serum vitamin D is associated with increased severity of periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by destruction of the supporting tissues surrounding the tooth, which has several shared risk factors with other chronic non-communicable diseases. The biological functions of vitamin D are mediated by its strong anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and host modulatory properties. Experimental periodontitis models involving targeted deletion of 1α-hydroxylase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of inactive substrate to active 1,25(OH)₂ D₃ (calcitriol), showed augmented alveolar bone loss and gingival inflammation. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have also been associated with increased severity of periodontitis. Thus, the involvement of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of periodontitis is biological plausible. Clinical studies have consistently demonstrated an inverse relationship between serum 25OHD₃ and periodontal disease inflammation. However, due to the paucity of well-designed longitudinal studies, there is less support for the impact of vitamin D status on periodontal disease progression and tooth loss. The evidence emphasises the importance of maintaining vitamin D sufficiency in supporting periodontal health. This review aims to first examine the biological mechanisms by which vitamin D might influence the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and second, discuss the clinical evidence which implicate the role of vitamin D in periodontal disease.

Vitamin D levels and oral health in stroke patients during inpatient rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a severe that restricts the individual's functions, effects the oral health.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral health and vitamin D levels in stroke patients in rehabilitation units.

METHODS

Participants with stroke, and age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for the study. Oral Health Impact Scale-14 (OHIP-14), Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index, Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI) were assessed for all participants. Barthel Index (BI), Brunnstrom Recovery Scale (BRS) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) assessed for the stroke patients. Vitamin D levels of each participant were recorded.

RESULTS

The stroke patients' DMFT index and OHIP-14 values were higher than those of the healthy controls (p < .05). However, no significant differences were observed in terms of CPTIN, PI, or GI scores (p > .05). No statistically significant difference was determined in the DMFT index, OHIP-14 scores, Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), PI (Plaque Index) and GI (Gingival Index) scores according to vitamin D levels among the stroke patients (p > .05). Stroke patients' functional scores (BRS, MAS and BI), vitamin D levels and oral health status (OHIP-14, DMFT, CPITN, PI and GI) were subjected to correlation analysis. This revealed significant negative correlation between BRS (arm, hand and leg), and BI and OHIP-14 scores (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Although the DMFT index and oral health-related quality of life were adversely affected in stroke patients, no relationship was found between vitamin D and oral health status.

Investigating oral and systemic pathways between unhealthy and healthy dietary patterns to periodontitis in adolescents: A population-based study

AIM

To investigate pathways between unhealthy and healthy dietary patterns and periodontitis in adolescents (18-19 years of age).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This population-based study (n = 2515) modelled direct and mediated pathways (via biofilm and obesity) from patterns of healthy diet (fruits, fibre, vegetables, and dairy) and unhealthy diet (sugars, snacks, and salty/fast foods) with initial periodontitis (bleeding on probing [BoP], probing depth [PD] ≥ 4 mm, clinical attachment loss [CAL] ≥ 4 mm), moderate periodontitis (BoP, PD ≥ 5 mm, and CAL ≥ 5 mm), and European Federation of Periodontology and the American Academy of Periodontology (EFP-AAP) periodontitis definitions, adjusting for sex, socio-economic status, smoking, and alcohol, through structural equation modelling (α = 5%).

RESULTS

Higher values of healthy diet were associated with lower values of initial periodontitis (standardized coefficient [SC] = -0.160; p < .001), moderate periodontitis (SC = -0.202; p < .001), and EFP-AAP periodontitis (p < .05). A higher value of unhealthy diet was associated with higher values of initial periodontitis (SC = 0.134; p = .005) and moderate periodontitis (SC = 0.180; p < .001). Biofilm mediated the association between higher values of unhealthy diet and all periodontal outcomes (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that both healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns may contribute to reduced or increased extent and severity of periodontitis by local and systemic mechanisms, preceding the effect of other established causes such as smoking and obesity, in younger population.

Osteoporosis and periodontal diseases - An update on their association and mechanistic links

Periodontitis and osteoporosis are prevalent inflammation-associated skeletal disorders that pose significant public health challenges to our aging population. Both periodontitis and osteoporosis are bone disorders closely associated with inflammation and aging. There has been consistent intrigue on whether a systemic skeletal disease such as osteoporosis will amplify the alveolar bone loss in periodontitis. A survey of the literature published in the past 25 years indicates that systemic low bone mineral density (BMD) is associated with alveolar bone loss, while recent evidence also suggests a correlation between clinical attachment loss and other parameters of periodontitis. Inflammation and its influence on bone remodeling play critical roles in the pathogenesis of both osteoporosis and periodontitis and could serve as the central mechanistic link between these disorders. Enhanced cytokine production and elevated inflammatory response exacerbate osteoclastic bone resorption while inhibiting osteoblastic bone formation, resulting in a net bone loss. With aging, accumulation of oxidative stress and cellular senescence drive the progression of osteoporosis and exacerbation of periodontitis. Vitamin D deficiency and smoking are shared risk factors and may mediate the connection between osteoporosis and periodontitis, through increasing oxidative stress and impairing host response to inflammation. With the connection between systemic and localized bone loss in mind, routine dental exams and intraoral radiographs may serve as a low-cost screening tool for low systemic BMD and increased fracture risk. Conversely, patients with fracture risk beyond the intervention threshold are at greater risk for developing severe periodontitis and undergo tooth loss. Various Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies for osteoporosis have shown promising results for treating periodontitis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying their connection sheds light on potential therapeutic strategies that may facilitate co-management of systemic and localized bone loss.

A Mendelian randomization study on the effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels on periodontitis

BACKGROUND

25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels have been proposed to protect against periodontitis based on in vitro and observational studies but evidence from long-term randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is lacking. This study tested whether genetically proxied 25OHD is associated with periodontitis using Mendelian randomization (MR).

METHOD

Genetic variants strongly associated with 25OHD in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 417,580 participants of European ancestry were used as instrumental variables, and linked to GWAS summary data of 17,353 periodontitis cases and 28,210 controls. In addition to the main analysis using an inverse variance weighted (IVW) model, we applied additional robust methods to control for pleiotropy. We also undertook sensitivity analyses excluding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) used as instruments with potential pleiotropic effects and used a second 25OHD GWAS for replication. We identified 288 SNPs to be genome-wide significant for 25OHD, explaining 7.0% of the variance of 25OHD levels and providing ≥90% power to detect an odds ratio (OR) of ≤ 0.97.

RESULTS

MR analysis suggested that a 1 standard deviation increase in natural log-transformed 25OHD was not associated with periodontitis risk (IVW OR = 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97-1.12; P-value = 0.297). The robust models, replication, and sensitivity analyses were coherent with the primary analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our findings suggest that 25OHD levels are unlikely to have a substantial effect on the risk of periodontitis, but large long-term RCTs are needed to derive definitive evidence on the causal role of 25OHD in periodontitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Low bone mineral density is associated with severe periodontitis at the end of the second decade of life: A population-based study

AIM

To evaluate the association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and severe periodontitis at the end of the second decade of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This population-based study analysed 2032 youngers (18-19 years old) of the RPS cohort. BMD of lumbar spine (BMD-LS) and of the whole body (BMD-WB) were assessed by dual x-ray emission densitometry. Low BMD-LS (Z-score ≤ -2) and low BMD-WB (Z-score ≤ -1.5) were correlated with severe periodontitis. The extent of periodontal disease was also evaluated as the following outcomes: proportions of teeth affected by clinical attachment loss ≥5 mm and probing depth ≥5 mm. Multivariate models by sex, education, family income, risk of alcohol dependence, smoking, plaque, bleeding index, and body mass index were estimated through logistic regression (binary outcomes) and Poisson regression (continuous outcomes).

RESULTS

The prevalence of severe periodontitis was 10.97%. Low BMD-LS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.08, confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-3.85, p = .01) and low BMD-WB (OR = 1.34, CI = 1.001-1.81, p = .04) were associated with severe periodontitis in the final multivariate models. Low BMD-LS and BMD-WB were also associated with a greater extent of periodontitis (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Low BMD was found to be associated with the severity and extent of periodontitis in adolescents. Adolescents at peak bone mass age presenting low BMD are more likely to be affected by severe periodontitis.

Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Serum and Salivary C-Reactive Protein in the Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease Study

Vitamin D has been hypothesized to play an important role in preventing the development and progression of periodontal disease, but the underlying immune modulatory mechanisms remain understudied. We examined the cross-sectional association between biomarkers of vitamin D status and C-reactive protein (CRP) among postmenopausal women aged 53–81 years. Linear regression was used to examine the association between plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations, a biomarker of vitamin D status, and both salivary and serum CRP concentrations in 567 women from the Buffalo Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease (OsteoPerio) Study (1997–2000). CRP concentrations were measured with multiplex arrays and transformed for normality using the natural log. Concentrations above and below the limit of detection were included in analysis as right- and left-censored observations. An inverse association was observed between 25(OH)D and salivary CRP in a model adjusted for age, smoking status, frequency of tooth brushing and flossing, and hormone therapy use (−7.56% difference in salivary CRP concentrations per 10 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D, 95% CI: −12.78 to −2.03). Further adjustment for percent body fat attenuated this association (−2.48%, 95% CI: −7.88 to 3.24). No significant associations were found between 25(OH)D and serum CRP. Plasma vitamin D concentrations were not associated with salivary or serum CRP concentrations in this cohort of postmenopausal women.

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, tooth loss, and the prevalence of severe periodontitis in Koreans aged 50 years and older

PURPOSE

Vitamin D deficiency may cause bone loss and increased inflammation, which are well-known symptoms of periodontal disease. This study investigated whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are associated with periodontal disease status and tooth loss.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from 5,405 individuals aged ≥50 years (2,253 males and 3,152 females) were obtained from the 2008-2010 Dong-gu study, a prospective cohort study of risk factors for chronic diseases. Periodontal examinations were conducted to evaluate the number of remaining teeth, the periodontal probing depth (PPD), the clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing. The percentages of sites with PPD ≥4 mm and CAL ≥4 mm were recorded for each participant. The severity of periodontitis was classified using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology case definitions. Serum 25(OH)D levels were classified as reflecting severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency, or sufficiency. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the associations of serum 25(OH)D levels with periodontal parameters and the number of remaining teeth after adjusting for confounders including age, smoking status, alcohol consumption status, month of blood collection, and physical activity. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and severe periodontitis. An overall statistical analysis and a stratified analysis by sex were performed.

RESULTS

Overall, the rates of severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were 6.5%, 67.9%, 22.4%, and 3.2%, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, vitamin D levels were directly associated with the number of remaining teeth, an association that was significant in males, but not in females. Sufficient serum 25(OH)D was associated with a low frequency of severe periodontitis.

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based cross-sectional study indicates that low serum 25(OH)D is significantly associated with tooth loss and severe periodontitis in Koreans aged 50 years and older.

Association between low bone mineral density and periodontitis in generally healthy perimenopausal women

BACKGROUND

The association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and periodontitis in perimenopausal women is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether osteoporosis or osteopenia is associated with periodontal disease in a population of adult women.

METHODS

A sample of over-45-year-old women with or without low BMD underwent lumbar spine and hip bone densitometry and a complete periodontal examination. The extent/severity or absence of periodontal disease was noted using two different case definitions. Data were gathered on socio-economic status, medication history, systemic co-morbidities, alcohol or tobacco use as well as serum levels of calcium and vitamin D.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy three women aged between 45 and 72 years old were recruited with a mean age of 57.8 years. One hundred and three had decreased BMD (61 with osteoporosis and 42 with osteopenia) and 70 were healthy. Moderate or severe periodontitis was present in 52.6% of the women. Multivariate analysis showed a clear association between low BMD and periodontitis, but only in women above 58 years old and independent of tobacco consumption or oral hygiene.

CONCLUSION

In this sample of generally healthy perimenopausal women, low BMD was associated with clinical attachment level (CAL). Women over 58 years old with decreased BMD presented with a higher mean percentage of sites with CAL ≥ 4 mm as well as CAL ≥ 6 mm when compared to controls, independent of active smoking status or poor oral hygiene.

Transcriptional activity of vitamin D receptor in human periodontal ligament cells is diminished under inflammatory conditions

Background

Although vitamin D₃ deficiency is considered as a risk factor for periodontitis, supplementation during periodontal treatment has not been shown to be beneficial to date. Human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) are regulated by vitamin D₃ and play a fundamental role in periodontal tissue homeostasis and inflammatory response in periodontitis. The aim of this study is to investigate possible alterations of the vitamin D₃ activity in hPDLCs under inflammatory conditions.

Methods

Cells isolated from six different donors were treated with either 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (0 to 10 nM) or 25(OH)D₃ (0 to 100 nM) in the presence and absence of ultrapure or standard Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (PgLPS), Pam3CSK4, or interferon‐γ for 48 hours. Additionally, nuclear factor (NF)‐κB inhibition was performed with BAY 11‐7082. The bioactivity of vitamin D in hPDLCs was assessed based on the gene expression levels of vitamin D receptor (VDR)‐regulated genes osteocalcin and osteopontin. Additionally, VDR and CYP27B1 expression levels were measured.

Results

The vitamin D₃‐induced increase of osteocalcin and osteopontin expression was significantly decreased in the presence of standard PgLPS and Pam3CSK4, which was not observed by ultrapure PgLPS. Interferon‐y had diverse effects on the response of hPDLCs to vitamin D₃ metabolites. NF‐kB inhibition abolished the effects of standard PgLPS and Pam3CSK4. Standard PgLPS and Pam3CSK4 increased VDR expression in the presence of vitamin D₃. CYP27B1 expression was not affected by vitamin D₃ and inflammatory conditions.

Conclusions

This study indicates that the transcriptional activity of VDR is diminished under inflammatory conditions, which might mitigate the effectiveness of vitamin D₃ supplementation during periodontal treatment.

Could Vitamin D influence risk for Periodontal Disease - to "D" or not to "D"?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to discuss the literature on associations between vitamin D and periodontal disease, including its strengths and weaknesses. Future direction for continued work in this area is provided.

RECENT FINDINGS

Research in cross-sectional cohorts, surveys, and case-control studies provide support for a role of vitamin D in periodontal disease, especially using clinical indicators such as bleeding on probing and clinical attachment loss. However, these studies have a number of limitations. They cannot establish temporality of these associations. Most case-control studies have been limited in sample size and have inconsistent findings. A number of cross-sectional studies are restricted to select populations (e.g., persons with HIV, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis) limiting extrapolation of findings to the general aging population.Fewer prospective studies have been conducted, and only three have examined associations using a biomarker for vitamin D that reflects exposure from all its sources (sunlight, diet and supplements). One study is limited by using self-reported measures of disease outcomes, and only two used measures of alveolar crestal height. However, of the prospective studies published, there is a suggestion that vitamin D might prevent against tooth loss. Only two randomized controlled trials have examined these associations, and they support the effects of vitamin D supplementation on prevention of tooth loss and gingival bleeding.

SUMMARY

We strongly suggest that new research should focus on prospective study designs with followup of participants longer than a decade and long-term clinical trials. Such studies should incorporate measures of alveolar bone loss and tooth loss with indication for reason for tooth loss. Such clinical trials should be designed to examine both the influence of vitamin D supplementation alone as well as with other nutrients (e.g., calcium) or therapeutic medications (e.g., bisphosphonates). Currently, there is no strong evidence to suggest that vitamin D protects against development of periodontal disease.

The Buffalo OsteoPerio Studies: Summary of our findings and the unique contributions of Robert J. Genco, DDS, PhD

PURPOSE

Robert ("Bob") Genco was a member of the research team that established the Buffalo Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease (OsteoPerio) study. Here we detail the scientific discoveries emanating from this enduring collaboration.

STUDY COHORTS

OsteoPerio is ancillary to the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS). WHI-OS is a longitudinal study of 93,000 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 enrolled at 40 U.S. centers (enrolled 1993-1998). OsteoPerio enrolled 1342 women 3 years later (1997-2001) from the Buffalo WHI-OS participants to study the association of osteoporosis and periodontal disease. OsteoPerio has 5-year (N=1026) and 17-year (N=518) follow-up examinations.

PARTICIPANTS

In addition to information on health status from the WHI-OS, OsteoPerio further included comprehensive oral examinations assessing probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, gingival bleeding, alveolar crestal height, and DMFT. Systemic bone density (measured by DXA), blood, saliva and plaque also were collected at all three visits.

SUMMARY

Findings from these studies are summarized here.

The Role of Vitamins in Oral Health. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The association between vitamins and oral health have recently been discussed, yielding increased attention from medical and dental perspectives. The present review aimed to systematically evaluate and appraise the most recently scientific papers investigating the role of vitamins in the prevention and treatment of the main oral diseases as hard dental pathological processes and gum/periodontal disease. Randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, comparative studies, validation studies and evaluation studies, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, reporting associations between vitamins and oral diseases or the use of vitamins to prevent or treat oral diseases in patients of any age were included. PubMed, Embase and Scopus were searched to November 2019 using an ad hoc prepared search string. All the papers meeting the inclusion criteria were subjected to a quality assessment. The search identified 1597 papers; 741 were selected after removing duplicates. A total of 334 articles were excluded after title and abstract evaluation; 407 were assessed and 73 papers were full-text assessed; other 14 papers were discharged after full text evaluation, leaving finally 58 papers included. In general, there is weak evidence supporting the association between vitamins and both gingival/periodontal disease and hard dental pathological processes.

The influence of vitamin D supplementation on local and systemic inflammatory markers in periodontitis patients: A pilot study

OBJECTIVES

Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is a worldwide public health issue that has been linked to numerous inflammatory disorders, including periodontitis. There is increasing support for a role for adequate vitamin D levels in overall health. Populations with darker skin color have a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and periodontitis. The purpose of this small pilot study was to investigate the influence of 12 weeks of 25(OH)D vitamin D supplementation (VDS) on mediators of systemic inflammation in dark-skinned, periodontitis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 23 patients with moderate to severe periodontitis were randomly assigned to the vitamin D group or placebo group and received intensive single visit scaling and root planning to elicit a systemic inflammatory response.

RESULTS

Vitamin D supplementation increased serum 25(OH)D levels approximately 2-fold over baseline levels; moreover, VDS group had reduced peripheral blood CD3 and CD3+CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTLs) counts and reduced pro-inflammatory salivary cytokines. In contrast, VDS group had higher levels of the autophagy-related proteins and other proteins crucial for anti-microbial autophagy in whole blood PBMCs.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, VDS has multiple benefits for reducing systemic inflammation and promoting induction of autophagy-related proteins related to anti-microbial functions.

Effect of micronutrient malnutrition on periodontal disease and periodontal therapy

Periodontitis is a complex chronic inflammatory noncommunicable disease, initiated by the development of a dysbiotic microbial plaque biofilm below the gingival margin. Whilst the pathogenic biofilm is a "necessary cause" of periodontitis, it is insufficient on its own to cause the disease, and a destructive immune-inflammatory response is a key to the translation of risk to destructive events. Other exposures or "component causes" include individual genetic predisposition, lifestyle (including smoking and nutrition), and environmental factors. Dietary nutrients are essential for life as they provide crucial energy sources in the form of macronutrients, as well as important cofactors in the form of micronutrients, which regulate the functionality of enzymes during the regulation of anabolic and catabolic processes in human cells. Moreover, micronutrients can regulate gene transcription factors, such as the proinflammatory nuclear factor kappa B and the anti-inflammatory nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2. This review focuses on the role of vitamins (vitamin A, carotenoids, the vitamin B complex, vitamins C, D, and E, and coenzyme Q10) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, copper, manganese, and selenium) in human physiology and the impact of their deficiencies upon periodontal health and disease.

Cohort profile: the Buffalo OsteoPerio microbiome prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The Buffalo Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease (OsteoPerio) study is a prospective cohort study focused on the relationship between the microbiome and oral and systemic health outcomes in postmenopausal women. The cohort was established to examine how the oral microbiome is affected by (and how it affects) periodontal disease presence, severity and progression and to characterise the relationship between the microbiome, lifestyle habits and systemic disease outcomes.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants (n=1342) were postmenopausal women who were participating in the Women's Health Initiative observational study at the Buffalo, New York clinical centre. There were 1026 participants at the 5-year follow-up visit and 518 at the 15-year visit.

FINDINGS TO DATE

Data collected include questionnaires, anthropometric measures, serum blood and saliva samples. At each clinic visit, participants completed a comprehensive oral examination to measure oral health and the oral microbiome. Preliminary findings have contributed to our understanding of risk factors for periodontal disease and the relationship between the oral microbiome and periodontal disease.

FUTURE PLANS

The novel microbiome data collected on a large sample of participants at three time points will be used to answer a variety of research questions focused on temporal changes in the microbiome and the relationship between the oral microbiome and oral and systemic disease outcomes. Little is currently known about the relationship between the oral microbiome and health outcomes in older adults; data from the OsteoPerio cohort will fill this gap. Microbiome samples are currently being analysed using next-generation sequencing technology with an anticipated completion date of late 2018.

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.

Vitamin D deficiency and periodontal clinical attachment loss in HIV-seropositive women: A secondary analysis conducted in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS)

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to test a hypothesized positive association between low vitamin D (VitD) serum levels and the severity of periodontal disease in women with HIV infection.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from an oral substudy conducted within the Chicago site of the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Serum VitD levels and clinical attachment loss (CAL) measurements were available for 74 women with HIV infection. VitD levels were treated as both continuous and categorical variables in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Mean clinical attachment loss (mCAL) was determined for each subject by obtaining the averages of measurements taken at 4 sites in each measured tooth.

RESULTS

Average age of study participants (n = 74) was 39.6 years (standard deviation 7.2), and the majority were African Americans (70.3%) with VitD deficiency (58.1%). VitD deficiency was positively associated with higher mCAL (P = .012). After adjustment for race, age, smoking, and HIV viral load, an association was found between VitD deficiency and mCAL (Beta 0.438; P = .036).

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a previously unreported association between VitD deficiency and mCAL in women with HIV infection. Larger and more inclusive, multisite, longitudinal studies are warranted to investigate whether these findings can be generalized to all individuals with HIV infection in the current treatment era and to determine causality.

Vitamin D levels and risk for periodontal disease: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the existing evidence supporting or refuting the following questions: (i) Do patients with lower vitamin D levels have higher risk for periodontal disease? (ii) Are periodontal treatment outcomes improved by the adjuvant supplementation of vitamin D or by elevated serum vitamin D levels?

MATERIAL AND METHODS

MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched up to September 2017. Studies were included if they had measured serum vitamin D levels or vitamin D intake and any periodontal parameter.

RESULTS

Overall, 27 studies were included (13 cross-sectional studies, 6 case-control studies, 5 cohort studies, 2 randomized clinical trials and 1 case series study). Sixty-five percent of the cross-sectional studies reported significant associations between low vitamin D levels and poor periodontal parameters. None of the observational longitudinal studies found that periodontal disease progression could be attributed to lower vitamin D levels. No interventional studies that evaluated the use of vitamin D supplementation as a solely adjuvant to periodontal treatment was found. No meta-analysis was performed due to high variability across studies.

CONCLUSION

The data to support or refute the association between vitamin D levels and periodontal disease are inconclusive at the moment. More rigorously designed longitudinal studies with standardized definitions of periodontal disease and vitamin D are necessary.

Patterns of periodontal disease progression based on linear mixed models of clinical attachment loss

AIM

The goal of the present longitudinal cohort study was to examine patterns of periodontal disease progression at progressing sites and subjects defined based on linear mixed models (LMM) of clinical attachment loss (CAL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 113 periodontally healthy and 302 periodontitis subjects had their CAL calculated bimonthly for 12 months. LMMs were fitted for each site and the predicted CAL levels used to categorize their progression state. Participants were grouped based on the number of progressing sites into unchanged, transitional and active subjects. Patterns of periodontal disease progression were explored using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Progression occurred primarily at molars (50% of progressing sites) and inter-proximal sites (72%), affected a higher proportion of deep than shallow sites (2.7% versus 0.7%), and pocketing was the main mode of progression (49%). We found a low level of agreement (47%) between the LMM and traditional approaches to determine progression such as change in CAL ≥3 mm. Fourteen per cent of subjects were classified as active and among those 93% had periodontitis. The annual mean rate of progression for the active subjects was 0.35 mm/year.

CONCLUSION

Progressing sites and subjects defined based on LMMs presented patterns of disease progression similar to those previously reported in the literature.

Osteoporosis and Periodontitis

Osteoporosis and periodontitis are both diseases characterized by bone resorption. Osteoporosis features systemic degenerative bone loss that leads to loss of skeletal cancellous microstructure and subsequent fracture, whereas periodontitis involves local inflammatory bone loss, following an infectious breach of the alveolar cortical bone, and it may result in tooth loss. Most cross-sectional studies have confirmed the association of osteoporosis and periodontitis primarily on radiographic measurements and to a lesser degree on clinical parameters. Multiple shared risk factors include age, genetics, hormonal change, smoking, as well as calcium and vitamin D deficiency. Both diseases could also be risk factors for each other and have a mutual impact that requires concomitant management. Suggested mechanisms underlying the linkage are disruption of the homeostasis concerning bone remodeling, hormonal balance, and inflammation resolution. A mutual interventional approach is emerging with complex treatment interactions. Prevention and management of both diseases require interdisciplinary approaches and warrants future well-controlled longitudinal and interventional studies for evidence-based clinical guidelines.

Vitamin D Status and Tooth Loss in Postmenopausal Females: The Buffalo Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease (OsteoPerio) Study

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D is hypothesized to reduce risk for tooth loss via its influence on bone health, inflammation, and the immune response. The association between plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and prevalence and 5-year incidence of tooth loss in a cohort of postmenopausal females was examined.

METHODS

Participants underwent oral examinations at study baseline (1997 to 2000) and follow-up (2002 to 2005) to determine the number of missing teeth and 5-year incidence of tooth loss, respectively. At both visits, females self-reported reasons for each missing tooth. At baseline, 152 females reported no history of tooth loss, and 628 were categorized as reporting a history of tooth loss as a result of periodontal disease (n = 70) or caries (n = 558) (total n = 780). At follow-up, 96, 376, 48, and 328 females were categorized into the aforementioned categories related to tooth loss (total n = 472). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for tooth loss by category of baseline 25(OH)D (nmol/L) concentrations. Models were adjusted for age, income, smoking status, frequency of dental visits, waist circumference, and recreational physical activity. P value for trend was estimated using continuous concentrations of 25(OH)D.

RESULTS

Among females with 25(OH)D ≥50 (adequate vitamin D status) compared to <50 nmol/L (deficient/inadequate), the adjusted ORs were 1.24 (95% CI = 0.82 to 1.87), P-trend = <0.05 for the history (prevalence) of tooth loss resulting from periodontal disease or caries and 1.07 (95% CI = 0.62 to 1.85), P-trend = 0.11 for the incidence of tooth loss resulting from periodontal disease or caries. No statistically significant association was observed between 25(OH)D and the history or incidence of tooth loss caused by periodontal disease. An increased odds of the history of tooth loss attributable to caries was observed with increasing concentrations of 25(OH)D (P-trend = <0.05) but was not confirmed in prospective analyses.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of postmenopausal females, the data do not support an association between vitamin D status and tooth loss.

Periodontal health in breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors versus postmenopausal controls: a longitudinal analysis

AIM

This study was conducted to determine periodontal changes in postmenopausal breast cancer (BCa) survivors using aromatase inhibitors (AI) as compared to postmenopausal women without BCa.

METHODS

An 18-month prospective examination of periodontal health in postmenopausal women (29 receiving AI therapy; 29 women without BCa) was conducted at University of Michigan. Comprehensive periodontal examinations including alveolar bone height (ABH) were conducted at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Bisphosphonate, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation were collected via chart review. Linear mixed models were utilized to investigate the relationship between AI and periodontal measures.

RESULTS

Aromatase inhibitor users had significantly deeper probing depths, more dental plaque and clinical attachment loss as compared to controls at the 6, 12, and 18 month study visits (p < 0.05). ABH loss was seen over time within the AI group. The linear mixed model showed a significant effect of time as well as an interaction between aromatase inhibitor use and calcium supplement status. AI users taking calcium experienced less ABH loss over the study than AI users not taking calcium (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Aromatase inhibitor therapy has a negative impact on the periodontal health of postmenopausal BCa patients. Calcium supplementation appears to mitigate ABH loss in women on AI.