Association between failed eradication of 7-day triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori and untreated dental caries in Japanese adults.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a cause of gastric disorders and is treated mainly by pharmacotherapy with antimicrobial agents. An association has been reported between dental caries and H. pylori infection. As antimicrobial agents are less effective inside dental caries because of impaired blood circulation, the presence of untreated dental caries (decayed teeth) may influence the success of H. pylori eradication treatment. In this cross-sectional study, we examined whether failed eradication of H. pylori was associated with decayed teeth in Japanese adults. Enrolled were 226 participants who received dental checkups among those treated for eradication of H. pylori at Asahi University Hospital between April 2019 and March 2021. Treatment efficacy was assessed by urea breath test. Eradication failed in 38 participants (17%), decayed teeth in 32 participants (14%), and number of 0.34 teeth per participants. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that failed eradication of H. pylori was associated with decayed teeth (presence: odds ratio, 2.672; 95% confidence interval, 1.093-6.531) after adjusting for gender, age, and brushing frequency. These results indicate that failed eradication of H. pylori was associated with decayed teeth and suggest that untreated dental caries may impact treatment for eradication of H. pylori.

Association between dental caries and Helicobacter pylori infection in Japanese adults: A cross-sectional study.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is widely known as a cause of gastric disorders. Presence of H. pylori in dental pulp has been reported. Dental caries may influence the presence or absence of systemic H. pylori infection by serving as a source of H. pylori. In this cross-sectional study, we examined whether H. pylori infection in blood were associated with dental caries in Japanese adults. The participants were 752 individuals (513 males and 239 females, mean age 53.8 years) who underwent both H. pylori testing (H. pylori antibody test and pepsinogen test) and dental checkups at the Asahi University Hospital Human Health Center between April 2018 and March 2019. Those diagnosed as positive for H. pylori antibody test or positive for serum pepsinogen test as H. pylori test in the human health checkup were judged as those with H. pylori infection in the blood. In our study, 83 participants (11%) were determined to be infected with H. pylori in the blood. The proportion of those with decayed teeth was higher in participants with H. pylori infection in blood than in those without H. pylori infection in blood (p< 0.001). The logistic analysis showed that presence of H. pylori infection in blood was positively associated with those with decayed teeth (OR, 5.656; 95% CI, 3.374 to 9.479) after adjusting for age, gender, gastric disease, regular dental checkups, antibiotic medication history, and decayed teeth. Furthermore, the proportion of H. pylori infection in blood increased according to number of decayed teeth (p< 0.001). The results indicate that H. pylori infection in blood were associated with decayed teeth. Untreated dental caries may have an impact on systemic H. pylori infection.

Relationship between Chewing Status and Fatty Liver Diagnosed by Liver/Spleen Attenuation Ratio: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between chewing status and fatty liver among Japanese adults. Between April 2018 and March 2021, 450 individuals (352 males, 98 females; mean age 54.7 years) were recruited at the Asahi University Hospital Human Health Center. Chewing status was evaluated using a self-reported questionnaire. Liver/spleen (L/S) attenuation ratio < 0.9 on computed tomography was considered to indicate fatty liver, which was present in 69 participants (15%). Compared with participants without fatty liver, those with fatty liver had higher proportion of 25.0 (kg/m2) ≤ body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), higher serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (p < 0.001), higher systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), higher diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) (p = 0.011). Significant differences were also found in chewing status (p < 0.001) and eating speed (p = 0.011). Presence of fatty liver was positively associated with BMI (25.0 ≤; odds ratio [OR], 5.048; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.550−9.992), serum HbA1c (OR, 1.937; 95% CI, 1.280−2.930), and chewing status (poor; OR, 8.912; 95% CI, 4.421−17.966) after adjusting for sex, age, BMI, serum HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum HDL cholesterol, chewing status, and eating speed. Poor chewing status was positively associated with L/S attenuation ratio. These results indicate a positive relationship between poor chewing status and fatty liver diagnosed by L/S attenuation ratio in Japanese adults.

Association between Self-Reported Chewing Status and Glycemic Control in Japanese Adults.

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between self-reported chewing status and glycemic control in 30,938 Japanese adults who participated in health checkups. Chewing status was evaluated using a self-reported questionnaire. We defined high hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels as a HbA1c level ≥6.5%; 692 (2.2%) respondents met this criterion. After adjusting for gender, age, smoking status, exercise habits, body mass index and eating speed, high HbA1c levels was found to be associated with male gender (odds ratio (OR), 1.568; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.310 to 1.878; p < 0.001), older age (OR, 1.077; 95% CI, 1.068 to 1.087; p < 0.001), higher body mass index (OR, 1.246; 95% CI, 1.225 to 1.268; p < 0.001), current smoker status (OR, 1.566; 95% CI, 1.303 to 1.882; p < 0.001) and chewing difficulty (OR, 1.302; 95% CI, 1.065 to 1.591; p < 0.05). In conclusion, self-reported chewing difficulty was associated with high HbA1c levels in Japanese adults.

Periodontal Condition Is Correlated with Deep and Subcortical White Matter Hyperintensity Lesions in Japanese Adults.

Deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity (DSWMH) lesions are a small-vessel disease of the brain. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between DSWMH lesions and periodontal status in Japanese adults who participated in a health check. We enrolled 444 consecutive participants (mean age, 54.5 years) who received both brain and oral health evaluation services at the Asahi University Hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect DSWMH lesions. Periodontal status was assessed using the community periodontal index. Of the study participants, 215 (48.4%) had DSWMH lesions. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the presence of DSWMH lesions was significantly related to age ≥ 65 years (vs. < 65 years, odds ratio [OR] = 2.984, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.696-5.232), systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg (vs. < 140 mmHg, OR = 2.579, 95% CI = 1.252-5.314), the presence of ≥ 28 teeth (vs. < 28 teeth, OR = 0.635, 95% CI = 0.420-0.961), and probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 6 mm (vs. PPD < 6 mm, OR = 1.948, 95% CI = 1.132-3.354) after adjustment for confounding factors. Having PPD ≥ 6 mm may be a risk factor for DSWMH lesions in Japanese adults.

Factors Enhancing Serum Syndecan-1 Concentrations: A Large-Scale Comprehensive Medical Examination.

Endothelial disorders are related to various diseases. An initial endothelial injury is characterized by endothelial glycocalyx injury. We aimed to evaluate endothelial glycocalyx injury by measuring serum syndecan-1 concentrations in patients during comprehensive medical examinations. A single-center, prospective, observational study was conducted at Asahi University Hospital. The participants enrolled in this study were 1313 patients who underwent comprehensive medical examinations at Asahi University Hospital from January 2018 to June 2018. One patient undergoing hemodialysis was excluded from the study. At enrollment, blood samples were obtained, and study personnel collected demographic and clinical data. No treatments or exposures were conducted except for standard medical examinations and blood sample collection. Laboratory data were obtained by the collection of blood samples at the time of study enrolment. According to nonlinear regression, the concentrations of serum syndecan-1 were significantly related to age (p = 0.016), aspartic aminotransferase concentration (AST, p = 0.020), blood urea nitrogen concentration (BUN, p = 0.013), triglyceride concentration (p < 0.001), and hematocrit (p = 0.006). These relationships were independent associations. Endothelial glycocalyx injury, which is reflected by serum syndecan-1 concentrations, is related to age, hematocrit, AST concentration, BUN concentration, and triglyceride concentration.

Associations between caries experience, dietary habits, and metabolic syndrome in Japanese adults.

Dental caries could be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, there is limited evidence of such a relationship in the literature. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationships among dental caries experience, dietary habits, and MetS in Japanese adults. A total of 937 participants aged 40-74 years underwent a health check, including dental examination. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) were used as an index of caries experience. The mean DMFT score was 14, and 12% of the participants had MetS in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the prevalence of MetS was significantly related to DMFT (first vs. fourth quartile, odds ratio [OR] = 1.80; P < 0.05). In addition, the OR of DMFT for MetS was found to be greater in each successively higher DMFT quartile. The prevalence of MetS was significantly related to daily coffee consumption (OR = 0.51, P < 0.01), and the relationship between DMFT and MetS was noted after adjusting for daily coffee consumption. There appears to be a positive association between caries experience and MetS in Japanese adults. This relationship increased with the increase in DMFT regardless of dietary habits.

Association between eating behavior and poor glycemic control in Japanese adults.

This study investigated the relationship between eating behavior and poor glycemic control in 5,479 Japanese adults with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) <6.5% who participated in health checks. Respondents to a 2013 baseline survey of eating behavior, including skipping breakfast and how quickly they consumed food were followed up until 2017. We defined poor glycemic control after follow-up as HbA1c ≥6.5%, or increases in HbA1c of ≥0.5% and/or being under medication to control diabetes. We identified 109 (2.0%) respondents who met these criteria for poor glycemic control. After adjusting for sex, age, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), and eating behavior, the risk of poor glycemic control was increased in males (odds ratio [OR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37-4.12; p < 0.01), and associated with being older (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.11; p < 0.001), having a higher BMI (OR, 1.29; 95% CI 1.23-1.35; p < 0.001), skipping breakfast ≥3 times/week (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.35-4.41; p < 0.01), and changing from eating slowly or at medium speed to eating quickly (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.04-4.26; p < 0.05). In conclusion, Japanese adults who were male, older, had a high BMI, skipped breakfast ≥3 times/week and ate quickly were at increased risk for poor glycemic control.

Self-reported behavior of eating quickly is correlated with visceral fat area in Japanese non-obese adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between eating speed and fat accumulation in Japanese non-obese adults. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In total, 381 non-obese participants aged 35-74 years underwent a health checkup including fat distribution. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging to quantify visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA). Information on eating speed was obtained using a self-administrated questionnaire. RESULTS: The numbers of participants with self-reported behavior of eating slowly, medium, or quickly were 24 (6.3%), 180 (47.2%), and 177 (46.5%), respectively. The prevalence of VFA ≥100 cm2 was higher in the eating quickly group than in the eating slowly (p<0.05) or medium groups (p<0.05). On the other hand, no significant differences in SFA ≥100 cm2 were observed between groups. In addition, multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that eating quickly was positively correlated with VFA (standard ß=0.068, p<0.05), but not with SFA. CONCLUSIONS: Although eating quickly was positively correlated with bigger VFA in Japanese non-obese adults, no associations were found between eating speed and SFA.

Association between Chewing Problems and Sleep among Japanese Adults.

An association between physical illness and sleep has been suggested. Disordered chewing might be a physical factor that is associated with sleep issues. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether chewing problems are associated with sleep in Japanese adults. Sleep and chewing issues were evaluated in 6,025 community residents using a self-reported questionnaire. The prevalence of poor sleep quality and sleeping for <6 h/day (short duration) were 15.6% and 29.4%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that prevalence of poor sleep quality was significantly associated with self-reported medical history (odds ratio (OR), 1.30; p < 0.001), self-reported symptoms (OR, 4.59; p < 0.001), chewing problems (OR, 1.65; p < 0.001), and poor glycemic control (OR, 1.43; p=0.035). The prevalence of short sleep duration was also significantly associated with female sex (OR, 1.23; p=0.001), self-reported symptoms (OR, 1.60; p < 0.001), chewing problems (OR, 1.30; p=0.001), and being overweight (OR, 1.41; p < 0.001). In conclusion, chewing problems were associated with poor sleep quality and short sleep duration among Japanese adults.

Correlation between ultrasound-diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver and periodontal condition in a cross-sectional study in Japan.

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between periodontal condition and ultrasound-diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a Japanese oral health check population. A total of 1226 consecutive participant were enrolled in the study. Abdominal ultrasonography was applied to diagnose NAFLD. Of the study participants, 339 (27.7%) had ultrasonography-diagnosed NAFLD. The participants with NAFLD had a significantly higher prevalence of probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 4 mm (86.7%) than those without NAFLD (72.9%) (p < 0.05). After adjusting for gender, age, Brinkman index, regular exercise habits, body mass index, number of teeth present, presence of periodontitis, blood pressure, and serum parameters, there was a statistically significant difference in the adjusted odds ratios of having PPD ≥ 4 mm for NAFLD (Odds ratio = 1.881, 95% confidence interval 1.184-2.987, p < 0.01). Having PPD ≥ 4 mm may be a risk factor for ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD in this cross-sectional study of a Japanese oral health check population.

Correlation between renal function and common risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a healthy middle-aged population: a prospective observational 2-year study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Age, proteinuria, metabolic syndrome, and hyperuricemia are the reported risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the best predictor of changes in renal function in the early stages of renal disease in a healthy middle-aged population is still unknown. Our study evaluated the correlation between changes in renal function and common risk factors to determine such a predictor. METHODS: In total, 2,853 healthy persons aged ≤50 years participated in the study. They had no proteinuria and were not on medications for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or hyperuricemia. Over 2 years, participants underwent annual health screening. The relationship between changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and changes in risk factors for CKD was evaluated using univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Over 2 years, eGFR showed a significant decrease. Univariate regression analysis revealed that changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, serum uric acid levels, and hemoglobin showed a significant negative correlation with changes in eGFR. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that changes in FPG, serum uric acid levels, in particular, and hemoglobin had a significant negative correlation with changes in eGFR. CONCLUSION: The changes in eGFR and other variables over 2 years were small and could be within expected biologic variation. A longer observational study is needed to elucidate whether FPG, serum uric acid and hemoglobin represent the earliest markers of eGFR decline.