Periodontitis and its higher levels of severity are associated with the triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis and the Triglyceride/High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio have both been associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Additionally, the ratio is a possible substitute for predicting insulin resistance. This study investigated the association between periodontitis, its severity levels (exposures), and the TG/HDL-C ratio (outcome). METHODS: A cross-sectional study of public health service users in Brazil considered socioeconomic-demographic characteristics, lifestyle behavior, and general and oral health conditions. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were also measured. Systemic biomarker data were obtained, as well as assessment of periodontal diagnosis and its severity. The TG/HDL-C ratio was calculated using the serum triglyceride level over HDL cholesterol and the cut-off point, TG/HDL-C ≥2.3 serving as the cutoff indicting dyslipidemia. Logistic and linear regressions were used to statistically analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 1011 participants were included, with 84.17% having periodontitis and 49.85% having a TG/HDL-C ratio ≥2.3. For individuals with periodontitis, the odds of TG/HDL-C ratio ≥2.3 were 1.47 times greater than in those without periodontitis (ORAdjusted  = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.02-2.14). Similar results were found for those with moderate and severe periodontitis, with a slight increase in the measurement magnitude with disease severity. CONCLUSION: A positive relationship between periodontitis and the TG/HDL-C ratio ≥2.3 was found, suggesting a possible association with periodontal disease severity.

Moderate and severe periodontitis are positively associated with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between periodontitis severity (exposure) and metabolic syndrome (MetS - outcome), using two criteria for diagnosis of the outcome, since this relationship remains unexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with 870 individuals: 408 with first MetS diagnosis (cases) and 462 without MetS (controls). Participants' general information was obtained using a questionnaire and laboratory data was collected from medical records. Periodontitis severity criteria followed the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: none, mild, moderate, and severe. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were determined by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Findings showed a positive association between moderate and severe periodontitis and MetS: ORadjusted = 1.64 (95% CI: 1.01 to 2.68) and ORadjusted = 1.94 (95% CI: 1.19 to 3.16), respectively, after adjustment for age, sex, schooling level, smoking habit, and cardiovascular disease. The adjusted measurements showed that among individuals with moderate or severe periodontitis, the probability of having MetS was around two times greater than among those without periodontitis, and that the chance was greater among participants with severe periodontitis than those with moderate periodontitis. CONCLUSION: An association between the severity of periodontal status and MetS was found, suggesting a possible relationship between the two diseases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MetS influences the etiology of cardiovascular diseases, one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The findings suggest that the greater the severity of periodontitis, the greater is the association magnitude with MetS. The health professional needs to recognize that the importance of periodontal disease may play in MetS.

Obesity and periodontitis are not associated in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate an association between obesity (exposure) and periodontitis (outcome) in pregnant women. BACKGROUND: This association was investigated and only five studies were identified as showing a positive association. However, some of these studies had limitations such as reduced sample sizes, inadequate exposure criteria and outcome measures, which question the internal validity of these investigations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 644 pregnant women of the public health service of the municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. Data were obtained by collecting of socioeconomic-demographic information, health behavior, health conditions, and reproductive history through an interview. Obesity was evaluated using body mass index adjusted for gestational age and expected weight gain. The diagnosis of periodontitis followed two criteria: (a) Center for Disease Prevention and Control and American Academy of Periodontology (CDC/AAP); (b) Gomes-Filho et al (2018) using criterion that also evaluated bleeding upon probing; Prevalence ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals were obtained by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: In accordance with the outcome diagnostic criterion, the frequency of periodontitis was 17.24% (Gomes-Filho et al) and 66.92% (CDC/AAP). The participants were classified as low weight (19.72%), adequate weight (42.39%), overweight (24.84%), and obesity (13.04%), based on the exposure diagnostic criterion. The low weight and overweight groups were excluded from the data analysis, giving a final sample of 357 pregnant women. The association between obesity in pregnant women and periodontitis was not statistically significant, after adjusting for confounders such as age, schooling level, alcoholic beverage consumption, alimentary and nutritional orientation, urinary infection, and dental flossing. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed a high frequency of periodontitis, obesity, and overweight in the studied population but no association between obesity and periodontitis in pregnant women was found.

Association between periodontitis and severe asthma in adults: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between periodontitis and severe asthma, with participants in treatment for severe asthma, controlled by therapy. METHODS: A case-control investigation was performed to compare 130 adults with severe asthma with 130 without asthma. Individuals with periodontitis were those with ≥4 teeth with ≥1 site with probing depth ≥4 mm, clinical attachment level ≥3 mm, and bleeding upon probing at the same site. Severe asthma diagnosis was based on Global Initiative for Asthma criteria. RESULTS: Association between exposure to periodontitis and severe asthma was found: ORcrude  = 2.98 (95% CI: 1.74-5.11). When confounders were considered, the association between exposure to periodontitis and severe asthma was maintained: ORadjusted  = 3.01-3.25. Individuals with periodontitis had about a threefold increased risk of severe asthma than those without periodontitis. Frequency of periodontitis in participants with severe asthma was greater than that of those without asthma (46.6% vs 22.3%, p ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS: Association between periodontitis and severe asthma was observed. Further investigation is required to determine the direction of this relationship. It may be causal, but it may also be a consequence of the immunopathological process that characterizes asthma, or else, consequence of the medication used for treatment.

Estimated prevalence of halitosis: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to conduct a systematic review to determine the prevalence of halitosis in adolescents and adults. METHODS: Electronic searches were performed using four different databases without restrictions: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO. Population-based observational studies that provided data about the prevalence of halitosis in adolescents and adults were included. Additionally, meta-analyses, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to synthesize the evidence. RESULTS: A total of 584 articles were initially found and considered for title and abstract evaluation. Thirteen articles met inclusion criteria. The combined prevalence of halitosis was found to be 31.8% (95% CI 24.6-39.0%). Methodological aspects such as the year of publication and the socioeconomic status of the country where the study was conducted seemed to influence the prevalence of halitosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that the estimated prevalence of halitosis was 31.8%, with high heterogeneity between studies. The results suggest a worldwide trend towards a rise in halitosis prevalence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Given the high prevalence of halitosis and its complex etiology, dental professionals should be aware of their roles in halitosis prevention and treatment.

Severity of Periodontitis and Metabolic Syndrome: Is There an Association?

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Causal factors for MetS are not well defined or yet unidentified. Preliminary investigations suggest that infections and inflammation may be involved in the etiology of this syndrome. This study aims to estimate the association between the severity of periodontitis (exposure) and MetS (outcome). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 419 participants recruited from the Diabetes and Hypertensive Treatment Center, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. After administration of a questionnaire, general and oral clinical examination and laboratory tests were performed. Diagnosis of periodontitis and MetS was performed according to various criteria. The analysis of the effect of periodontitis on MetS used logistic regression analysis with adjustment for confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of periodontitis was found to be between 34.61% and 55.37%, depending on the classification definitions used, and the prevalence of MetS ranged from 60.86% to 67.06%. In the group with periodontitis, 14.08% had severe and 41.29% had moderate levels of periodontitis. There was an association between severe periodontitis and MetS after adjustment for sex, age, household density, alcoholic beverage consumption, smoking habit, and cardiovascular disease (odds ratio ORadjusted_6 = 2.11, 95% confidence interval = 1.01 to 4.40, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that periodontitis is associated with MetS, and that MetS prevalence is related to severe periodontitis.