Copenhagen, 17 June 2022. A large study has found that people with a prior heart attack or diabetes are more likely to have gum disease than their healthy counterparts. The research was presented at EuroPerio10, the world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry organised by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) (1).

“This was an observational study and does not imply causal relationships,” said study author Dr Ida Stødle of the University of Oslo, Norway. “However, the findings raise awareness about the correlations between chronic illnesses which affect large numbers of people. This knowledge may help efforts to prevent these diseases.”

Non‐communicable diseases are becoming increasingly common as populations age and there is growing evidence that they are connected (2). Gum disease, also called periodontitis, affects up to half of all adults worldwide (3). This study examined whether severe periodontitis was more frequent in individuals with diabetes or a prior heart attack.

The analysis included 4,933 randomly selected participants of the community-based Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT Study). Participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, medications, and diseases such as type 2 diabetes and myocardial infarction. A clinical assessment of teeth and soft tissues was performed, plus a dental radiological examination. Weight, height, blood pressure, and serum levels of cholesterol and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured.

Dr Stødle explained: “The presence of diabetes was assessed from self-reported questionnaires and may include a broad spectrum of severity, from poorly controlled to well controlled. For this reason we also examined the relationship between gum disease and HbA1c, which indicates average blood sugar levels over the last two to three months. Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of diabetic complications when their HbA1c levels are 48mmol/mol or above.”

The average age of participants was 52 years and 56% were women. A total of 147 (3.0%) participants reported a prior heart attack, 224 (4.5%) stated they had diabetes, 165 (3.3%) had elevated HbA1c (48mmol/mol or above), and 866 (17.6%) had severe periodontitis.

The researchers analysed whether diabetes, elevated HbA1c, and prior heart attack predicted the likelihood of having severe gum disease. The analyses were adjusted for age, smoking, serum cholesterol, waist circumference and physical activity. The investigators found significant associations between diabetes, elevated HbA1c, prior heart attack and severe gum disease with odds ratios of 1.4, 1.5 and 1.7, respectively.

Dr Stødle said: “The results show that patients with diabetes were 40% more likely to have severe gum disease than those without diabetes. Participants with high HbA1c were 50% more likely to have severe gum disease than those with HbA1c levels below 48mmol/mol. Finally, heart attack survivors were 70% more likely to have severe gum disease than participants who had never experienced a heart attack.”

She concluded: “This study builds on previous evidence suggesting that people with gum disease are at greater risk of having a heart attack and developing diabetes, and also that those with diabetes are at greater risk of getting gum disease. Taken together, the findings indicate that maintaining oral health could also benefit general health.”

EFP, global benchmark in periodontology

The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP, ww.efp.org) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting awareness of periodontal science and the importance of gum health. Its guiding vision is “periodontal health for a better life.”

Founded in 1991, the EFP is a federation of 37 national periodontal member societies that represents more than 16,000 periodontists, dentists, researchers, and oral-health professionals from Europe and around the world. It supports evidence-based science in periodontal and oral health, and it promotes events and campaigns aimed at both professionals and the public.

The EFP organises EuroPerio, the world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry, as well as other important professional and expert events such as Perio Master Clinic and Perio Workshop. The annual Gum Health Day on May 12, organised by the EFP and its member societies, brings key messages on gum health to millions of people across the world.

The EFP also organises workshops and outreach campaigns with its partners: projects to date have covered the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and caries, as well as women’s oral health during pregnancy.

The EFP’s Journal of Clinical Periodontology is the most authoritative scientific publication in this field. The federation also publishes JCP Digest, a monthly digest of research, and the Perio Insight magazine, which features experts' views and debates.

The EFP’s work in education is also highly significant, notably its accreditation programme for postgraduate education in periodontology and implant dentistry.

The EFP has no professional or commercial agenda.

References

1) The abstract “HbA1c-level, diabetes and myocardial infarction are associated with periodontitis stage III and stage IV; The HUNT Study” was presented at EuroPerio10  on 17 June. The topics covered in this press release were discussed during the sessions "Cardiovascular diseases" on 17 June at 14:30 to 16:00 CEST in Auditorium 10-12, and ”Periodontitis and metabolic diseases" on 17 June at 16:30 to 18:00 CEST in Auditorium 10-12.

2) Sanz M, Del Castillo AM, Jepsen S, et al. Periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases: Consensus report. J Clin Periodontol. 2020;47:268–288.

3) Nazir MA. Prevalence of periodontal disease, its association with systemic diseases and prevention. Int J Health Sci. 2017;11:72–80.

Source : EFP press team at press@efp.org