Periodontitis is linked to noncommunicable diseases among dental hospital attendees

Abstract

Objectives: Periodontal disease as a major global disease burden significantly affects oral health and yet closely associates with systemic diseases. This study investigated the comorbidity profiles of common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in a cohort of subjects with various periodontal conditions. Methods: The dental folders of 870 attendees to the Prince Philip Dental Hospital were randomly checked from 17,400 folders firstly registered from 1996 to 1998. After screening data and examining inclusion criteria (≥18 yrs, ≥ one remaining tooth and available data of Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and panoramic radiograph), 290 folders were selected, and their full medical data in the Clinical Medical System of Hong Kong up to July 1, 2016 were then searched. Of them, 56 folders were excluded due to absence or incompletion of data in the System. Common comorbidities including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, hypertension and dyslipidemia were recorded. Number of tooth present and CPI score were recorded, and overall alveolar bone level (BL) was measured. Periodontal conditions were classified as ‘Health group’ (CPI: 0-2 and BL ≥ 80%) or ‘Periodontitis group’ (CPI: 2-4 and BL < 80%). Results: The data from 234 subjects (mean 37.9±15.7 yrs, ranged 18-81 yrs) were analyzed, including 148 (63.2%) females and 86 (36.8%) males. Overall, the 95 Periodontitis subjects exhibited significantly greater prevalence of death and at least one of the comorbidities than the 139 Healthy controls (p<0.001). Notably, each comorbidity in the Periodontitis group occurred more commonly than the Healthy group (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that CVD remained to be significantly correlated with periodontitis (OR: 4.64, p=0.007). Conclusions: This preliminary study shows that periodontitis is linked to the comorbidities of common NCDs. A total healthcare strategy can contribute to optimal oral and general health via the common risk factor approach.