ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction The associations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) with reduced saliva flow rates have not been previously reported. Objective The present study aimed to assess the association of cholesterolemia with reduced saliva flow rates in community-dwelling elderly subjects. Methods The present study analyzed 342 participants (170 males and 172 females aged between 78 and 79 years old). Unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR) was assessed using a cotton roll method. Low-USFR was defined as 0.10 g/30 seconds. Stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR) was assessed by having the participants chew tasteless gum for 3minutes. Low-SSFR was defined as 1.0 mL/minute. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of LDL-C, HDL-C, rheumatoid factor, hemoglobin A1c, and creatinine. To assess depression, the General Health Questionnaire 30 was used. A standardized questionnaire was completed, covering the current and previous medications of the participants and smoking status. We stratified the serum LDL-C levels of the participants as normal, moderate or severe hyper-LDL cholesterolemia and serum HDL-C levels as normal or hypo-HDL cholesterolemia. Multivariate logistic regression models were established and low-USFR or low-SSFR were set as dependent variables in the aforementioned models. Results After controlling for the effects of the other variables, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for low-USFR were 2.25 (1.10-4.61) for moderate and 5.69 (1.55-20.8) for severe hyper-LDL cholesterolemia, while that of hypo-HDL cholesterolemia was 3.40 (1.33-8.69). Severe hyper-LDL cholesterolemia was also associated with low-SSFR with an OR of 3.89 (1.39-10.88). Conclusion Elderly patients with cholesterolemia have a risk of reduced salivary flow rate.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate whether a low body mass index (BMI) has a significant relationship with mandibular bone porosity progression by conducting a mandibular inferior cortex (MIC) classification in elderly Japanese people. Material and Methods: A total of 266 study subjects, aged 70 at baseline, were recruited for this study, conducted from 1998 to 2007. The subjects were divided into two groups according to changes in the MIC on serial panoramic radiographs during this nine-year study period: a no change group (MIC-NC) and a change group (MIC-C). All subjects in the MIC-C showed changes trending toward greater fragility. We evaluated the BMI at baseline. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the MIC condition during the nine-year period (0: MIC-NC, 1: MIC-C) and BMI (kg/m2) adjusted for gender, current health status (CHS), and smoking habit (SH) at baseline. Results: The mean and standard deviations of the BMI at baseline in the MIC-NC and MIC-C were 22.8 ± 2.1 and 21.8 ± 2.5 kg/m2 for males and 23.1 ± 2.9 and 21.9 ± 2.4 kg/m2 for females. There was a significant relationship between the MIC condition and the BMI in both males (p=0.04) and females (p=0.01). The logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between the MIC condition over the nine-year period and the BMI (OR=0.84, p=0.003), which was adjusted depending on the gender (OR=5.18, p=0.000), CHS (OR=0.53, p=0.015), and SH (OR=4.15, p=0.002) at baseline. Conclusion: A low BMI carries a risk of developing mandibular bone porosity by measuring the MIC condition in panoramic radiographs.