Periodontitis and metabolic diseases (diabetes and obesity): Tackling multimorbidity.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are multifactorial, long-term, chronic conditions that represent a burden to health-care systems worldwide as they can only be controlled rather than cured; hence, they require long-term care. With the exponential increase in NCDs, the occurrence of individuals presenting with more than one chronic disease is also rapidly rising. "Multimorbidity," defined as the presence of two or more long-term physical or mental disorders, is now considered a worldwide epidemic, affecting around 20% of the adult population. Periodontitis, diabetes, and obesity, all chronic inflammatory diseases, are an example of multimorbidity highly relevant to dental practitioners. Over the last three decades, the three-way relationship among the diseases has been vastly researched and accepted, with important contributions by European researchers. The interplay among periodontitis, diabetes, and obesity is sustained by shared biological mechanisms, such as systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction, as well as common lifestyle-related risk factors. As such, unhealthy lifestyles were found to generally increase systemic inflammation and insulin resistance and decrease immune function, hence, eventually increasing the risk of NCDs onset and the development of multimorbidity. This narrative review of the evidence supports the need for a paradigm shift from a "single-disease" to a "multiple-disease" framework, characterized by an integrated multidisciplinary approach, which should include lifestyle modification interventions to successfully tackle multimorbid periodontitis and metabolic diseases (diabetes and obesity). A multidisciplinary integrated care pathway in both dental and medical settings should be considered to further tackle the global health challenge of multimorbidity.

Behavioral strategies for periodontal health.

The impact of lifestyle factors has been increasingly studied and discussed in oral healthcare. Positive lifestyle factors are important in maintaining oral health or controlling disease, but they are not easy to adopt over the long term. Along with public health initiatives within communities and groups, there is a role for behavior change interventions delivered in dental practice settings to improve the periodontal health of individuals. Behavior management is now seen as a part of both prevention and therapy of periodontal diseases. This article summarizes the evidence on behavioral strategies for periodontal health to inform and assist oral healthcare professionals in implementing behavior change in their practice. In addition, strategies for education and training in communication and behavior change techniques are considered.

Periodontal disease progression in the second half of life and following a single episode of scaling and root planing: A clinical study in the Sri Lankan tea plantation cohort with documented clinical parameters for more than 40 years.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate periodontal disease progression (PDP) and potentially detectable effects of a single episode of scaling and root planing (se-SRP) in subjects lacking professional dental care and oral hygiene practices for >40 years. METHODS: In 2013, se-SRP was offered to all available subjects from the original cohort of 480 males initially established in 1970. From a total of 75 attending the previous examination in 2010 (baseline), 27 consented to receive the intervention while 18 declined and served as controls. Clinical data were recorded again in 2014 (follow-up) similarly to the previous surveys (1970 to 2010). RESULTS: Subjects' mean age in 2010 was 62.5 (± 3.6, test) and 61.9 (± 3.8, control) years. At follow-up, both groups presented with elevated tooth loss of 1.2 (from 15.5 ± 9.0, test) and 1.5 (from 17.9 ± 6.6, control) resulting in 1,392 (test) and 1,061 (control) sites available for further analysis. In both groups, clinical attachment level (CAL) loss and probing depths (PD) deteriorated. PD increase of 0.22 mm (± 1.70) in the test group was significantly higher compared with the control group (0.08 mm ± 1.30) (P <0.0001) demonstrating unaffected PDP. Computed estimates of further PDP revealed CAL and PD reductions in subjects aged ≥40 years. Specifically, the latter was positively correlated with tooth loss in subjects aged ≥40 years (P = 0.69, P = 0.0012) and ≥50 years (r = 0.62, P <0.0001). CONCLUSION: se-SRP in previously untreated periodontitis subjects aged ≥50 years may be ineffective in reducing PDP thus demanding advanced preventive measures, treatment in the first half of life, and sustained access to supportive care.

Impact of the treatment of periodontitis on systemic health and quality of life: A systematic review.

AIM: To investigate the effect of treatment of periodontitis on systemic health outcomes, pregnancy complications, and associated quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic electronic searches were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials with minimum 6-month follow-up and reporting on the outcomes of interest. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed as deemed suitable. RESULTS: Meta-analyses confirmed reductions of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) [0.56 mg/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-0.88, -0.25), p < .001]; interleukin (IL)-6 [0.48 pg/ml, 95% CI (-0.88, -0.08), p = .020], and plasma glucose [1.33 mmol/l, 95% CI (-2.41, -0.24), p = .016], and increase of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) [0.31%, 95% CI (0.07, 0.55), p = .012] and diastolic blood pressure [0.29 mmHg, 95% CI (0.10, 0.49), p = .003] 6 months after the treatment of periodontitis. A significant effect on preterm deliveries (<37 weeks) was observed [0.77 risk ratio, 95% CI (0.60, 0.98), p = .036]. Limited evidence was reported on quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes in the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of periodontitis results in systemic health improvements including improvement in cardiometabolic risk, reduction in systemic inflammation and the occurrence of preterm deliveries. Further research is however warranted to confirm whether these changes are sustained over time. Further, appropriate QoL outcomes should be included in the study designs of future clinical trials.

Association Between Periodontitis and Blood Pressure Highlighted in Systemically Healthy Individuals: Results From a Nested Case-Control Study.

[Figure: see text].

The association of periodontal diseases with metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Periodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease associated with dysbiotic plaque biofilms and characterized by progressive destruction of the tooth-supporting apparatus. Globally, it is estimated that 740 million people are affected by its severe form. Periodontitis has been suggested to be linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Obesity, defined as excessive fat accumulation, is a complex multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease, with a high and increasing prevalence. Metabolic syndrome is defined as a cluster of obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and dysglycemia. Obesity, metabolic syndrome and periodontitis are among the most common non-communicable diseases and a large body of evidence from epidemiologic studies supports the association between these conditions. Extensive research has established plausible mechanisms to explain how these conditions can negatively impact each other, pointing to a bidirectional adverse relationship. At present there is only limited evidence available from a few intervention studies. Nevertheless, the global burden of periodontitis combined with the obesity epidemic has important clinical and public health implications for the dental team. In accordance with the common risk factor approach for tackling non-communicable diseases, it has been proposed that oral healthcare professionals have an important role in the promotion of periodontal health and general well-being through facilitation of healthy lifestyle behaviours.

Obesity as predictive factor of periodontal therapy clinical outcomes: A cohort study.

AIM: The study aim was to investigate the predictive role of obesity on clinical response following non-surgical periodontal therapy in individuals with severe periodontitis. METHODS: A total of 57 BMI obese and 58 BMI normal non-smoker adults with periodontitis (defined as probing pocket depths (PPD) of ≥5 mm and alveolar bone loss of >30% with >50% of the teeth affected) received non-surgical periodontal therapy. Periodontal status was based upon PPD, clinical attachment level (CAL) and full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS). Mean PPD, percentage sites PPD >4 mm, percentage sites PPD >5 mm and FMBS at 2 and 6 months were outcome variables. Propensity score analysis was used to assess the effect of obesity on outcome variables after adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Statistically significant higher clinical measures (mean PPD, mean percentage of sites with PPD >4 mm, mean percentage of sites with PPD >5 mm and FMBS) were observed in the obese group than the normal group at baseline, 2 and 6 months after therapy (p < .01). At 2 and 6 months, obesity was associated with worse mean PPD (p < .05), percentage sites with PPD >4 mm (p < .05), percentage sites with PPD > 5mm (p < .05) and FMBS (p < .01), independent of age, gender, ethnicity or plaque levels. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity compared to normal BMI status was an independent predictor of poorer response following non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Periodontitis is associated with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recent evidence suggests a link between periodontitis (PD) and hypertension, but the nature of this association remains unclear. The overall aim of this review was to critically appraise the evidence linking these two common disorders. Systematic search was conducted for studies published up to December 2018. Prevalence of hypertension in patients with PD (moderate/severe groups) vs. those without PD (non-PD) was the primary outcome. Additional outcomes included adjusted mean difference in systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure (BP) levels in PD vs. non-PD, assessment of biomarkers in PD and hypertension, and BP changes after periodontal therapy. From 81 studies selected, 40 were included in quantitative meta-analyses. Diagnoses of moderate-severe PD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.35] and severe PD (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.09-2.05) were associated with hypertension. Prospective studies confirmed PD diagnosis increased likelihood of hypertension occurrence (OR = 1.68; 95% CI: 0.85-3.35). Patients with PD exhibited higher mean SBP [weighted mean difference (WMD) of 4.49 mmHg; 95% CI: 2.88-6.11] and DBP (2.03 mmHg; 95% CI: 1.25-2.81) when compared with non-PD. Lastly, only 5 out of 12 interventional studies confirmed a reduction in BP following periodontal therapy, ranging from 3 to 12.5 mmHg of SBP and from 0 to 10 mmHg of DBP. PD is associated with increased odds of hypertension (SORT C) and higher SBP/DBP levels. The evidence suggesting that PD therapy could reduce BP is inconclusive. Although additional research is warranted on this association, these results suggest that oral health assessment and management of PD could not only improve oral/overall health and quality of life but also be of relevance in the management of patients with hypertension.

Periodontitis affects glucoregulatory hormones in severely obese individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of periodontitis (PD) on glucoregulatory hormones in obesity, never explored so far, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 110 severely obese, non-diabetic individuals. METHODS: We collected clinical periodontal parameters, including probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL). Insulin, glucagon, GLP-1 and GIP were measured after 3 days of standardized diet. RESULTS: Forty-seven subjects had periodontitis (PD+) and 63 did not (PD-). PD+ showed 30.3% of gingival sites with PPD > 4 mm, 55.2% of BOP sites and a mean CAL loss of 4.1 mm. Compared with PD-, PD+ had higher glucagon (26.60 [25.22] vs 3.93 [7.50] ng/l, p < 0.0001) and GIP levels (10.56 [13.30] vs 6.43 [8.43] pmol/l, p < 0.001), while GLP-1 was reduced (11.78 [10.07] vs 23.34 [16.80] pmol/l, p < 0.0001). Insulin did not differ. In PD+, after adjustment for confounders, PPD was positively related to glucagon (ß = 0.424, p = 0.002) and inversely to GLP-1 (ß = -0.159, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: We describe for the first time an impaired incretin axis coupled with a relative hyperglucagonemia in obese non-diabetic individuals with PD, that might contribute to deteriorate their glucose tolerance and partially explain the higher risk of diabetes observed in these patients.

Systemic effects of periodontitis treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes: a 12 month, single-centre, investigator-masked, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation is believed to be a major mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Periodontitis is a cause of systemic inflammation. We aimed to assess the effects of periodontal treatment on glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In this 12 month, single-centre, parallel-group, investigator-masked, randomised trial, we recruited patients with type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe periodontitis, and at least 15 teeth from four local hospitals and 15 medical or dental practices in the UK. We randomly assigned patients (1:1) using a computer-generated table to receive intensive periodontal treatment (IPT; whole mouth subgingival scaling, surgical periodontal therapy [if the participants showed good oral hygiene practice; otherwise dental cleaning again], and supportive periodontal therapy every 3 months until completion of the study) or control periodontal treatment (CPT; supra-gingival scaling and polishing at the same timepoints as in the IPT group). Treatment allocation included a process of minimisation in terms of diabetes onset, smoking status, sex, and periodontitis severity. Allocation to treatment was concealed in an opaque envelope and revealed to the clinician on the day of first treatment. With the exception of dental staff who performed the treatment and clinical examinations, all study investigators were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was between-group difference in HbA1c at 12 months in the intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN83229304. FINDINGS: Between Oct 1, 2008, and Oct 31, 2012, we randomly assigned 264 patients to IPT (n=133) or CPT (n=131), all of whom were included in the intention-to-treat population. At baseline, mean HbA1c was 8·1% (SD 1·7) in both groups. After 12 months, unadjusted mean HbA1c was 8·3% (SE 0·2) in the CPT group and 7·8% (0·2) in the IPT group; with adjustment for baseline HbA1c, age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, duration of diabetes, and BMI, HbA1c was 0·6% (95% CI 0·3-0·9; p<0·0001) lower in the IPT group than in the CPT group. At least one adverse event was reported in 30 (23%) of 133 patients in the IPT group and 23 (18%) of 131 patients in the CPT group. Serious adverse events were reported in 11 (8%) patients in the IPT group, including one (1%) death, and 11 (8%) patients in the CPT group, including three (2%) deaths. INTERPRETATION: Compared with CPT, IPT reduced HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate-to-severe periodontitis after 12 months. These results suggest that routine oral health assessment and treatment of periodontitis could be important for effective management of type 2 diabetes. FUNDING: Diabetes UK and UK National Institute for Health Research.

Periodontal complications with obesity.

The purpose of this paper was to identify and summarize current evidence describing periodontal complications associated with obesity. Electronic searches supplemented with manual searches were carried out to identify relevant systematic reviews. Identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion of studies were performed independently by two reviewers. A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) was used to assess the quality and risk of bias of the included reviews. From 430 titles and abstracts screened, 14 systematic reviews were considered as eligible for inclusion in this meta-review. Eight reviews reported on cross-sectional studies investigating the association of obesity and periodontal diseases, 4 included longitudinal studies, 5 addressed response to periodontal therapy, 5 reported on studies investigating biomarkers, and only 2 were related to pediatric population samples. Systematic review summaries in the various study design domains (cross-sectional, longitudinal and experimental) report that obese individuals are more likely to have periodontal diseases, with more severe periodontal conditions, than nonobese individuals, with cross-sectional evidence congruent with longitudinal studies showing that obesity or weight gain increases the risk of periodontitis onset and progression. Published research on the effect of obesity on responses to periodontal therapy, or systemic or local biomarkers of inflammation, is variable and therefore inconclusive based on the evidence currently available, which suggests that overweight/obesity contributes to periodontal complications independently of other risk factors, such as age, gender, smoking, or ethnicity. This evidence supports the need for risk assessments for individual patients to facilitate personalized approaches in order to prevent and treat periodontal diseases.

Association between overweight/obesity and increased risk of periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate periodontitis as a co-morbidity of overweight/obesity in an age-matched sample of periodontitis cases or periodontally healthy controls. METHODS: Participants were periodontally assessed using whole mouth clinical periodontal measures. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio for diagnosis of periodontitis when body mass index (kg/m2 ), overweight (BMI 25-29.99 kg/m2 , or obese BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 ) were the explanatory variables. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated of all possible BMI (kg/m2 ) cut-off points discriminating individuals for diagnosis of periodontitis. RESULTS: The study comprised 286 participants. BMI showed a dose-response association with increased odds (1.12 per increase of 1 kg/m2 , 95% CI 1.05-1.20, p = 0.001) of being a case compared to a control independent of gender, ethnicity, smoking status and dental plaque level. Similarly overweight/obese were independently associated with increased odds of diagnosis of periodontitis for overweight (OR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.210-5.400, p = 0.014) and for obese (OR = 3.11, 95% CI 1.052-6.481, p = 0.015) compared to normal weight individuals. The ROC curve analysis confirmed diagnosis of periodontitis was 1.6 times more likely in an individual with the BMI ≥ 24.32 kg/m2 . CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obese individuals are more likely to suffer from periodontitis compared to normal weight individuals in this case-control sample.

Periodontal therapy and systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis.

AIM: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of periodontal therapy (PT) on serum levels of inflammatory markers in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: A literature search was carried out using MEDLINE via Pubmed, EMBASE, LILACS and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. Randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) evaluating the effect of PT on systemic inflammatory markers were deemed eligible. Case series (CS), reports and pilot trials were excluded. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk assessment tool. Meta-analysis was carried out using random effect methods. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 3,164 potential studies of which 61 were assessed for eligibility and 9 (6 RCTs and 3 CCTs) were included in this systematic review. Three RCTs were classified by the authors as being at low risk of bias and three were "unclear" and classified as uncertain risk of bias. All CCTs were considered to be at a high risk of bias. The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant mean difference (MD) for TNF- α (-1.33 pg/ml, 95% CI: -2.10; -0.56, p<0.001) and CRP (-1.28 mg/l, 95% CI: -2.07; - 0.48, p<0.001) favoring periodontal intervention versus control. CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis support the hypothesis that PT reduces serum levels of TNF- α and CRP in T2DM individuals. The decrease of inflammatory burden has important implications for metabolic control and can, in part, explain the mechanisms linking periodontitis and increased risk for complications in people with T2DM.

Principles in prevention of periodontal diseases: Consensus report of group 1 of the 11th European Workshop on Periodontology on effective prevention of periodontal and peri-implant diseases.

AIMS: In spite of the remarkable success of current preventive efforts, periodontitis remains one of the most prevalent diseases of mankind. The objective of this workshop was to review critical scientific evidence and develop recommendations to improve: (i) plaque control at the individual and population level (oral hygiene), (ii) control of risk factors, and (iii) delivery of preventive professional interventions. METHODS: Discussions were informed by four systematic reviews covering aspects of professional mechanical plaque control, behavioural change interventions to improve self-performed oral hygiene and to control risk factors, and assessment of the risk profile of the individual patient. Recommendations were developed and graded using a modification of the GRADE system using evidence from the systematic reviews and expert opinion. RESULTS: Key messages included: (i) an appropriate periodontal diagnosis is needed before submission of individuals to professional preventive measures and determines the selection of the type of preventive care; (ii) preventive measures are not sufficient for treatment of periodontitis; (iii) repeated and individualized oral hygiene instruction and professional mechanical plaque (and calculus) removal are important components of preventive programs; (iv) behavioural interventions to improve individual oral hygiene need to set specific Goals, incorporate Planning and Self monitoring (GPS approach); (v) brief interventions for risk factor control are key components of primary and secondary periodontal prevention; (vi) the Ask, Advise, Refer (AAR) approach is the minimum standard to be used in dental settings for all subjects consuming tobacco; (vii) validated periodontal risk assessment tools stratify patients in terms of risk of disease progression and tooth loss. CONCLUSIONS: Consensus was reached on specific recommendations for the public, individual dental patients and oral health care professionals with regard to best action to improve efficacy of primary and secondary preventive measures. Some have implications for public health officials, payers and educators.

Risk factor assessment tools for the prevention of periodontitis progression a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: (i) To identify characteristics of currently published patient-based tools used to assess levels of risk for periodontitis progression and (ii) systematically review the evidence documenting the use of patient-based risk assessment tools for predicting periodontitis progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review was prepared on the basis of an electronic search of the literature supplemented with manually searching the relevant journals of the latest 5 years. Prospective and retrospective cohort studies were included as no randomized controlled clinical trials were available. RESULTS: The search identified 336 titles, and 19 articles were included in this systematic review. The search identified five different risk assessment tools. Results of nine of 10 cohort studies reporting outcomes of 2110 patients indicate that risk assessment tools are able to identify subjects with different probability of periodontitis progression and/or tooth loss. Subjects with higher risk scores showed more progression of periodontitis and tooth loss. CONCLUSIONS: In treated populations, results of patient-based risk assessments, for example periodontal risk calculator (PRC) and periodontal risk assessment (PRA), predicted periodontitis progression and tooth loss in various populations. Additional research on the utility of risk assessment and results in improving patient management are needed.

Behaviour change counselling for tobacco use cessation and promotion of healthy lifestyles: a systematic review.

AIM: To systematically assess the efficacy of oral health behaviour change counselling for tobacco use cessation (TUC) and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic Reviews, Randomized (RCTs), and Controlled Clinical Trials (CCTs) were identified through an electronic search of four databases complemented by manual search. Identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion of studies were performed independently by two reviewers. Quality assessment of the included publications was performed according to the AMSTAR tool for the assessment of the methodological quality of systematic reviews. RESULTS: A total of seven systematic reviews were included. With the exception of inadequate oral hygiene, the following unhealthy lifestyles related with periodontal diseases were investigated: tobacco use, unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol, physical inactivity, and stress. Brief interventions for TUC were shown to be effective when applied in the dental practice setting while evidence for dietary counselling and the promotion of other healthy lifestyles was limited or non-existent. CONCLUSIONS: While aiming to improve periodontal treatment outcomes and the maintenance of periodontal health current evidence suggests that tobacco use brief interventions conducted in the dental practice setting were effective thus underlining the rational for behavioural support.

Impact of baseline microbiological status on clinical outcomes in generalized aggressive periodontitis patients treated with or without adjunctive amoxicillin and metronidazole: an exploratory analysis from a randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIM: To explore whether subjects harbouring A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis or T. forsythia at baseline showed increased clinical benefits with the adjunctive use of systemic amoxicillin and metronidazole (AMX-MET) during non-surgical treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty one subjects were included in this 6-month randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial using a 7-day course of systemic AMX-MET or placebo as adjuncts to non-surgical periodontal therapy. Clinical and microbiological parameters were collected at baseline, 2 and 6 months after treatment. Microbiological cultures were processed for pooled subgingival samples and identities of isolates were determined by PCR for A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis and T. forsythia RESULTS: At 6 months, the test treatment resulted in significant additional improvements in the primary outcome variable compared to placebo, and the effect of the adjunctive antimicrobials was not modified by the baseline microbiological status in the primary analysis. However, secondary exploratory subgroup analyses showed improved clinical outcomes in subjects harbouring A. actinomycetemcomitans at baseline compared to subjects who did not harbour this pathogen. CONCLUSIONS: All subjects benefited from the tested adjunctive antimicrobial regimen, although subjects who harboured A. actinomycetemcomitans at baseline may show greater clinical benefits. Larger appropriately powered studies are needed to confirm whether adjunctive AMX-MET is more beneficial for GAgP patients who harbour A. actinomycetemcomitans, along with other key periodontal pathogens.

Association between short leukocyte telomere length, endotoxemia, and severe periodontitis in people with diabetes: a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE Shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and diagnosis of periodontitis are associated with an increased risk of complications and mortality in diabetes. This study investigated the association between LTL, endotoxemia, and severity of periodontitis in a large cohort of people with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Six hundred thirty individuals (371 with type 2 and 259 with type 1 diabetes) were recruited from the University College Hospital in London, U.K. During a baseline visit, blood was collected for standard biochemical tests and DNA extraction, while a dental examination was performed to determine diagnosis and extent of periodontitis. LTL was measured by real-time PCR, and endotoxemia was assessed by the limulus amoebocyte lysate method. RESULTS Two hundred fifty-five individuals were diagnosed with gingivitis, 327 with periodontitis (114 with moderate and 213 with severe disease), and 48 with edentulous. Diagnosis of periodontitis was associated with shorter LTL (P = 0.04). A negative association between LTL and endotoxemia was found in the severe periodontitis and type 2 diabetes groups (P = 0.01 for both). Shorter LTL was associated with increased extent of periodontitis (P = 0.01) and increased insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment). Multiple adjustments for biochemical, anthropometric, and medication-use variables did not affect the results. CONCLUSIONS LTL is associated with endotoxemia and diagnosis of periodontitis in people with diabetes. LTL shortening might represent a novel biological pathway accounting for previous epidemiological data that documented higher prevalence of diabetes and its complications in people with periodontitis and vice versa.

Changes in dental plaque following hospitalisation in a critical care unit: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Previous research has suggested that deterioration in oral health can occur following hospitalisation. The impact of such deterioration could increase the risk of oral disease, reduce quality of life and increase the potential for healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) such as healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP). However, the strength of the evidence is limited by, amongst other factors, the few observational studies published that assess oral health longitudinally. In view of the microbiological component of oral diseases and HCAIs, the objective of this study was to investigate the microbiological changes in dental plaque following hospitalisation in a Critical Care Unit (CCU): (1) total number of cultivable bacteria and (2) presence and changes in specific HAP pathogens. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal observational study in the CCU of University College Hospital, London. Study participants were recruited within 24 hours of admission. Dental plaque samples were collected from up to six sites per patient. The primary outcome was microbiological change from baseline to seven days with additional analysis for participants still present at day 14. RESULTS: 50 patients were recruited with 36 available for review at one week, with early discharge accounting for much of the loss to follow-up. The median total viable count of the plaque microbiota at baseline was 4.40 × 105 cfu/ml and increased at week one to 3.44 × 106 cfu/ml. The total viable microbe counts increased by a median of 2.26 × 106 cfu/ml from baseline to week one (95% CI: 3.19 × 106, 1.24 × 107) and this was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Specific HAP bacteria were detected in 26% of participants sampled, although accounted for a relatively low proportion of the total viable bacteria. CONCLUSION: Total bacterial count of dental plaque increases during hospitalisation in CCU. This finding, together with the colonisation of dental plaque by HAP bacteria strengthens the evidence for a deterioration in oral health in CCU and a risk factor for negative health and quality of life outcomes.

The impact of hospitalization on dental plaque accumulation: an observational study.

AIM: To investigate the effect of hospitalization on oral health as assessed by dental plaque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational study in a critical care unit (CCU). Participants were recruited within 24 h of admission. Dental plaque amount was assessed at baseline, 1 and 2 weeks using the Debris index-soft deposits (Greene & Vermillion 1960). RESULTS: Fifty participants were recruited with 36 available for outcome assessment at 1 week and 10 at 2 weeks. The principal reason for losses was early discharge with no evidence of a difference between patients present only at baseline and those present at 1 week. The median value for dental plaque at baseline was 4 (95% CI: 4, 6). The median dental plaque increase from baseline to week 1 was 1.5 (95% CI: -1, 4), and this was statistically significant (p = 0.04). The median increase from week 1 to week 2 was 1.0 (95% CI -8, 6) and not statistically significant (p = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Oral health as assessed by dental plaque deteriorates following hospitalization in CCU. Such change could lead to impairment of quality of life and well-being as well as to increasing the risk of important healthcare-associated infections such as nosocomial pneumonia.