ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Current research has been inconclusive regarding whether hepatitis B infection is associated with an increased risk of periodontitis. This study aims to test the null hypothesis that no association exists between hepatitis B infection and an increased risk of periodontitis using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2014). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2009-2014) to assess the rate of the prevalence of periodontitis in patients with and without hepatitis B infection. Participants who had tested for hepatitis B and periodontitis were included. The included participants were divided into no/mild periodontitis and moderate/severe periodontitis groups according to their periodontal status. The association between hepatitis B infection and chronic periodontitis was evaluated by multivariable regression analyses adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, income-to-poverty ratio, smoking, alcohol, BMI, ALT, AST, creatinine, hypertension, and diabetes. RESULTS: A total of 5957 participants were included and divided into two groups: inactive periodontitis group (n = 3444) and active periodontitis group (n = 2513). The results showed that participants with hepatitis B had a higher risk of periodontitis. After adjusting for covariables, adults with hepatitis B infection were 38% more likely to have periodontitis compared to those without hepatitis B infection (95% Confidence Interval [CI]:1.085-1.754). CONCLUSIONS: In general, the results suggest that CHB is positively associated with the more severe periodontitis. These results suggest that people with hepatitis B infection should take good periodontal care measures to avoid the occurrence and development of periodontitis.
