Religious affiliation and oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study based on a nationally representative survey in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown an association between a person's religiosity, and physical as well as psychological, health status. However, results differ between certain religious affiliations. While good oral health is important for our overall health and wellbeing, research on religious affiliation and oral health status, specifically oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), is lacking. Thus, our aim was to investigate the association between religious affiliation and OHRQoL. METHODS: A nationally representative online survey (n = 3,075 individuals) was conducted in August/September 2021. The mean age was 44.5 years (SD: 14.8 years, 18 to 70 years) and 51.1% of the individuals were female. OHRQoL was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G5). Religious affiliation served as key explanatory variable. Several covariates were included in regression analyses. RESULTS: Regressions revealed that compared to individuals with no religious affiliation, individuals belonging to Christianity had poorer OHRQoL (ß = 0.31, p < 0.01), individuals belonging to Islam had poorer OHRQoL (ß = 2.62, p < 0.01) and individuals belonging to another religious affiliation also had poorer OHRQoL (ß = 1.89, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated an association between religious affiliation and OHRQoL. Individuals with specific religious affiliations should be addressed to avoid low OHRQoL.

Oral health, anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms: findings from the survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe.

BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge regarding the association between oral health and mental health in terms of depressive symptoms and particularly anxiety symptoms. Therefore, our aim was to close this gap in knowledge. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were used from wave 5 of the pan-European Survey of Health Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) (n = 62 358 observations). The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to quantify anxiety symptoms and the Euro-D was used to measure depressive symptoms. Oral health was quantified based on the presence of missing natural teeth, the number of missing natural teeth and the extent of replaced teeth. It was adjusted for several covariates in regression analysis. RESULTS: Multiple linear regressions revealed that the presence of missing natural teeth was associated with higher anxiety symptoms (ß = 0.11, P < 0.001) and higher depressive symptoms (ß = 0.22, P < 0.001) among the total sample. Among individuals with at least one missing natural tooth, the number of missing natural teeth was positively associated with higher anxiety symptoms (ß = 0.02, P < 0.001) and higher depressive symptoms (ß = 0.02, P < 0.001) - and fully replaced teeth (compared to not at all replaced teeth) were associated with lower anxiety symptoms (ß = -0.35, P < 0.001) and lower depressive symptoms (ß = -0.36, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study stresses the association between lower oral health and lower mental health among older adults in Europe. Future studies based on longitudinal data are required.

Association between an Anti-Inflammatory Dietary Score and Periodontitis-Evidence from the Population-Based Hamburg City Health Study.

While the effects of dietary patterns on cardiovascular risk and diabetes have been well studied, the evidence is scarce as to which diet has the greatest anti-inflammatory potential and how dietary patterns are associated with periodontitis. In the Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS), we developed an anti-inflammatory dietary score using a data-driven approach based on the relationship of relevant selected food groups with inflammatory biomarkers (hsCRP and IL-6). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between the anti-inflammatory dietary score and the incidence of periodontitis in Hamburg, Germany. A total of n = 5642 participants fit the required inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. Periodontal disease was assessed using probing depth, gingival recession, and bleeding on probing. Dietary intake was measured using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). A self-developed anti-inflammatory dietary score served as the key explanatory variable. Higher scores reflected lower inflammatory processes (measured through the biomarkers hsCRP and IL-6). Several covariates were included in the regression analysis. Regressions revealed that a higher anti-inflammatory dietary score was significantly associated with lower odds to be affected by periodontal disease in an unadjusted model (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.82-0.89, p < 0.001) and in an adjusted model (age, sex, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and physical activity) (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.98, p = 0.003). Our study demonstrated a significant inverse association between an anti-inflammatory dietary score and periodontitis. Individuals with higher intake of proinflammatory nutrition should be specifically addressed to avoid periodontitis.