Periodontal condition and ultrasound-based measures of arterial stiffness: results of the Health 2000 Survey.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis has been associated with inflammatory processes in arterial walls such as impairment in endothelial function and thickening of intima media. As inflammation plays a role also in arterial stiffening, an association between periodontal inflammation and arterial stiffness can be expected. So far, conflicting results of the association between periodontal disease and arterial stiffness have been reported. Many of the earlier studies were conducted in specific populations and heterogeneous measures of both arterial stiffness and periodontal status were used. In this population-based study we aimed to investigate whether periodontal pocketing and gingival bleeding are associated with ultrasound-based measures of arterial stiffness. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, two sets of data based on the national Health 2000 Survey in Finland were formed. Data set I comprised never-smoking 45-64-year-old dentate (≥ 10 natural teeth), non-diabetic, non-rheumatic, non-obese (BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2), non-hypertensive subjects with no coronary artery disease or ongoing lipid-lowering medications (n = 157). Data set II was formed of an unrestricted 45-74-year-old dentate population (n = 536). Four arterial stiffness measures (carotid artery compliance, Peterson's elastic modulus, Young's elastic modulus and beta stiffness index) based on an ultrasound examination of the common carotid artery were used. Periodontal parameters included the number of teeth with ≥ 4 mm deep periodontal pockets and the number of sextants with gingival bleeding. ß-estimates, confidence intervals, and p-values were obtained from linear regression models. RESULTS: In Data set I, the adjusted ß-estimates for the association between the number of teeth with ≥ 4 mm deep periodontal pockets and Peterson's elastic modulus and Young's elastic modulus were 15.80 (p = 0.12) and 61.02 (p = 0.22), respectively. The respective ß-estimates were 31.06 (p = 0.17) and 121.16 (p = 0.28) for the association between the number of bleeding sextants and these two stiffness measures. The results in Data set II were in line with the results in Data set I, with the exception that the adjusted ß-estimates for the associations between Peterson's elastic modulus and Young's elastic modulus and periodontal parameters were closer to null. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study did not provide evidence of an association between periodontal condition and arterial stiffness.

Association between periodontal condition and blood pressure is confounded by smoking.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of smoking as a confounding factor in the association between periodontal pocketing and blood pressure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After restriction to 45-64-year-old subjects without hypertension, diabetes, rheumatic diseases, obesity and with no history of cardiovascular diseases or ongoing lipid-lowering medications, the study population consisted of 307 subjects of the Health 2000 Survey in Finland. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (mmHg) were used as outcome variables. Periodontal condition was measured by the number of teeth with ≥4 mm periodontal pockets. ß-estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained from linear regression models. Analyses were made in the whole study population and stratified according to smoking habits/history. RESULTS: The number of teeth with ≥4 mm periodontal pockets associated statistically significantly with systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure in the whole study population. Among never-smokers or daily smokers, there were no consistent nor statistically significant associations between the number of teeth with ≥4 mm periodontal pockets and systolic/diastolic blood pressure or pulse pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking appeared to confound the association between periodontal condition and blood pressure. Thorough control for the effect of smoking was not obtained using multivariate models.

Temporomandibular-disorder-related pain as a predictor of severe headaches.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate the association of temporomandibular disorders (TMD)-related pain with the presence of migraine or tension-type headaches (TTH) over a follow-up period of 11 years. METHODS: Data sets from Finnish national health surveys, the Health 2000 Survey (baseline), and the Health 2011 Survey (follow-up) were utilized. Study participants are undergoing clinical TMD examination at baseline and answering questions related to the presence of migraine and TTH at follow-up were included in the study (n = 530). For analyses, the study sample was divided into two data sets: One with those excluded suffering from migraine at baseline (Data set I, n = 345), and the other excluding those having TTH at baseline (Data set II, n = 464). RESULTS: Based on logistic regression modelling, no consistent association between TMD-related pain and the presence of migraine was observed, although jTMD associated with elevated estimates for migraine. However, participants with muscle-related TMD pain (mTMD) at baseline had markedly higher odds for having TTH at follow-up than participants without mTMD at baseline (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.8). Joint-related TMD pain (jTMD) at baseline was inversely associated with the presence of TTH at follow-up (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1-1.3). CONCLUSION: Contrasting patterns of the associations of TMD-related pain with different severe headaches point towards a more thorough and systematic research approach are needed to understand the mechanisms behind these associations.

Association of temporomandibular disorder-related pain with severe headaches-a Bayesian view.

OBJECTIVES: Association of temporomandibular disorders (TMD)-related pain with severe headaches (migraine and tension-type headaches [TTH]) was studied over a follow-up period of 11 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data used was from two nationally representative health surveys in Finland-the Health 2000 Survey (baseline) and the Health 2011 Survey (follow-up) (Bioresource Research Impact Factor [BRIF] 8901)-conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The primary dataset of the current study included a subset of the population undergoing a clinical oral examination, including TMD examination, at baseline, and answering the questions related to severe headaches, both at baseline and at follow-up (n = 530). From the primary dataset, two datasets were created to study the onset of migraine (dataset 1) and TTH (dataset 2) separately. Dataset 1 included participants healthy of migraine, but not other headaches, at baseline (n = 345), and dataset 2 participants healthy of TTH and other headaches, except migraine, at baseline (n = 464). Bayesian logistic regression models with weakly informative priors were utilized to assess the association of muscle-related TMD pain (mTMD) at baseline and temporomandibular joint-related TMD pain (jTMD) at baseline with the presence of migraine and TTH at follow-up. RESULTS: Neither of the baseline TMD-related pain variables were associated with the presence of migraine at follow-up (posterior effect estimates-0.12, 95% credible interval [CI] -0.49-0.24, and 0.11, 95% CI -0.38-0.59, for mTMD and jTMD, respectively), whereas mTMD at baseline (posterior effect estimate 0.36, 95% CI 0.02-0.69), but not jTMD at baseline (posterior effect estimate -0.32, 95% CI -0.94-0.25), was associated with the presence of TTH at follow-up. Bayesian sensitivity analyses revealed that the estimates of the regression models were stable, demonstrating sufficient validity and consistency of the estimates. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that diverse mechanisms may exist behind the associations of TMD-related painful conditions with different types of severe headaches. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TMD-related pain is a frequent comorbidity of severe primary headaches. Therapy of severe primary headaches may thus benefit significantly with the incorporation of a multi-disciplinary clinical team.

Association of long-term obesity and weight gain with periodontal pocketing: Results of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study.

AIM: To investigate whether obesity, central obesity, and weight gain are associated with periodontal pocketing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A never-smoking sub-population (n = 725) of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 was categorized based on body mass index (BMI; participants with normal weight, overweight, and obesity) and waist circumference (WC; participants without central obesity and with central obesity) at ages 31 and 46. The categories were combined to define whether the participants stayed in the respective BMI and WC categories or moved on to a higher category during follow-up. A periodontal examination was done at age 46. RESULTS: WC was more consistently associated with periodontal pocketing than BMI. The relative risks for the number of sites with periodontal pocket depth (PPD) ≥4 mm and bleeding PPD ≥4 mm in participants with central obesity both at age 31 and at age 46 were 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-2.0) and 2.1 (95% CI 1.6-2.6). The corresponding values for participants who had no central obesity at age 31 but had central obesity at age 46 were 1.6 (95% CI 1.4-1.8) and 1.9 (95% CI 1.6-2.3). CONCLUSION: Of all the studied measures, central obesity appeared to be most strongly associated with the inflammatory condition of the periodontium.

Alcohol use and the development of periodontal pockets: An 11-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates whether alcohol use predicts the periodontal pocket development over an 11-year follow-up period. METHODS: The study participants' periodontal condition was examined both in the Health 2000 and 2011 Surveys (BRIF8901). Participants were aged 30 to 65 years, dentate, periodontally healthy, and did not have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis in 2000. Periodontal outcome measures in 2011 were the number of teeth with deepened (≥4 mm) periodontal pockets and the presence of deepened periodontal pockets. The exposure in 2000 was alcohol use (amount [g/week], frequency [any alcohol or different beverages]). Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using negative binomial regression model and Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator. RESULTS: Overall, the amount of alcohol use or use over the risk limit in 2000 was inconsistently associated with the development of periodontal pockets (IRRs varied from 0.6 to 1.0). The frequency of alcohol use (any alcohol or different beverages) had an inconsistent association with the presence of periodontal pockets (IRRs varied from 0.5 to 1.2) while there was an inverse association with the number of teeth with periodontal pockets. Among smokers, there were no clear associations between any of the exposures and either of the outcomes. The same was found among non-smokers except an inverse association was found between frequency of alcohol use and the number of teeth with periodontal pockets. CONCLUSION: Alcohol use was not consistently associated with the periodontal pocket development over a period of 11 years.

Intake of different alcoholic beverages and periodontal condition.

Objective: The objective of this study is to study the association of alcoholic beverages and serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level with periodontal condition. Material and methods: The study included 4294 dentate, non-diabetic Finnish adults aged 30-65 years who underwent periodontal examination during the Health 2000 Survey. The number of teeth with deepened (≥4 mm) periodontal pockets was the outcome. The exposures were self-reported beverage-specific alcohol intake (amount and frequency) and serum GGT level. The relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained by fitting zero-inflated negative binomial regression models. Results: We found no consistent association of either the intake of different alcoholic beverages or GGT level with the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets in the total study population or among the non-smokers. Among the highly educated non-smokers, spirit intake was associated with a low likelihood of having teeth with deepened periodontal pockets; RRs varied between 0.3 and 0.8. Among the non-smokers who had basic or intermediate education, spirit intake was associated with a higher likelihood of having teeth with deepened periodontal pockets; RRs varied between 1.2 and 1.8. Conclusion: In general, neither the intake of different alcoholic beverages nor the GGT level was consistently associated with the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets.

Association Between Temporomandibular Disorders Pain and Migraine: Results of the Health 2000 Survey.

AIMS: To study the possible associations of various clinically assessed painful signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) with the presence of migraine using a large population-based dataset. METHODS: The data were taken from the nationally representative Health 2000 Survey (BRIF8901). The sample consisted of 5,876 adults (age range 30 to 97 years, mean ± standard deviation 52.5 ± 14.8), 5,378 nonmigraineurs and 498 migraineurs. The study participants answered questions concerning migraine presence, migraine frequency, and migraine medication consumption during a home interview. They also underwent a clinical TMD examination. RESULTS: Based on the multivariate regression models, painful muscular TMD, but not joint-related TMD, was associated with the presence of migraine (odds ratio [OR] = 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23 to 2.04; P < .01). Migraine with TMD was associated with increased migraine frequency (daily or a few attacks within a week) (OR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.27 to 2.93; P < .01) and higher migraine medication consumption (OR = 2.37; 95% CI = 1.43 to 3.92; P < .01). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, muscle-related TMD pain is associated with the presence of migraine. Additionally, migraine along with painful TMD signs is associated with increased migraine frequency and migraine medication consumption.

Alcohol use and periodontal pocket development: findings from a 4-yr longitudinal study.

This study investigated whether alcohol use influences periodontal pocket development during a 4-yr follow-up period. The study included those participants who took part in both the Health 2000 Survey and the Follow-up Study on Finnish Adults' Oral Health. The participants at baseline were aged ≥30 yr, periodontally healthy, and did not have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. The development of periodontal pockets at follow-up was measured as the number of teeth with periodontal pockets and the presence of periodontal pockets. Alcohol use at baseline was measured as g/wk, frequency, and use over the risk limit. Incidence rate ratios with 95% CI were estimated using negative binomial regression models and Poisson regression models with a robust variance estimator. No consistent association was found between any of the alcohol variables and periodontal pocket development in the total population or among non-smokers. Among smokers, a positive association was found with the frequency of alcohol use. In general, risk estimates were slightly higher for women than for men. In summary, light-to-moderate alcohol use appears not to be consistently associated with the development of periodontal pockets. The adverse effects on the periodontium seem, to some extent, to be dependent on gender and smoking.

Association between alcohol use and periodontal pockets in Finnish adult population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether alcohol use is associated with deepened periodontal pockets and whether this association is dependent on age, gender or socioeconomic position (SEP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study, based on the Health 2000 Survey, consisted of dentate, non-smoking Finnish adults aged 30-65 years (n = 3059). The outcome was the number of teeth with deepened (≥4 mm) periodontal pockets. The exposure was self-reported alcohol use assessed as amount, frequency, and use over the risk limit. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: In this study, alcohol use did not consistently associate with the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets. An association with the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets was found among men, older participants, and those participants belonging to basic or intermediate educational groups. An association with poor periodontal health was observed among men or older participants who belonged to the basic or intermediate educational group, whereas such associations were not observed among those participants belonging to the higher educational group. CONCLUSIONS: The association between alcohol use and periodontal health appears to be confounded by individual characteristics such as age, gender, and especially one's SEP.

Association between periodontal condition and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus-Results from a 15-year follow-up study.

AIM: To study whether periodontal condition is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based follow-up study was conducted among persons born in 1935 and living in the city of Oulu, Finland (n = 395). The baseline examinations were done during 1990-1992, and the follow-up examinations were done during 2007-2008. The data were gathered by questionnaires, laboratory tests and clinical measurements. Poisson regression models were used in the data analyses. RESULTS: The adjusted rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the incident T2DM among subjects with 4-5 mm deep periodontal pockets (n = 98), among subjects with 6 mm deep or deeper periodontal pockets (n = 91), and among edentulous subjects (n = 118) were 1.32 (95% CI: 0.69-2.53), 1.56 (95% CI: 0.84-2.92) and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.53-1.89), respectively, compared to dentate subjects without deepened (4 mm deep or deeper) periodontal pockets (n = 88). The adjusted RR per site (the number of sites with deepened periodontal pockets as a continuous variable) was 1.02 (95% CI: 1.00-1.04). CONCLUSIONS: Poor periodontal condition may be a predictor of the development of T2DM. However, the causality between periodontal condition and the development of T2DM remains uncertain.

Serum lipids modify periodontal infection - interleukin-6 association.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the systemic response against a local inflammatory process in periodontium is dependent on the individual's serum lipid composition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey that included 878 subjects who were aged between 45 and 64 years, dentate, non-diabetic and non-rheumatic. The inflammatory condition of periodontium was measured by means of the number of teeth with deepened (4 mm or deeper) periodontal pockets. Systemic inflammation was assessed by means of the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The association between an inflammatory condition in the periodontium and the systemic inflammatory response was analysed using linear regression models. RESULTS: The number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets was associated with elevated serum IL-6 levels among subjects with an unfavourable lipid composition (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥3.7 mmol/l or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <1.3 mmol/l). There was no association between serum TNF-α levels and the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets in these data. CONCLUSION: The systemic response against the inflammatory condition of periodontium varied between individuals. The variation appeared to be dependent on the serum lipid composition or related factors.

Association between periodontal condition and hypertension in a non-smoking population aged 30-49 years: results of the Health 2000 Survey in Finland.

AIM: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether periodontal condition is associated with hypertension and systolic blood pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of dentate, non-diabetic, non-smoking individuals aged 30-49 years (n = 1296) in the national Health 2000 Survey in Finland. The number of teeth with deepened (≥4 mm) and deep (≥6 mm) periodontal pockets and the number of sextants with gingival bleeding were used as explanatory variables. Hypertension and systolic blood pressure were used as outcome variables. RESULTS: There was no consistent association between the number of teeth with deepened (≥4 mm) (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.01) or deep (≥6 mm) (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.90-1.12) periodontal pockets and hypertension after adjusting for confounding factors. Nor was there any essential association between the number of bleeding sextants and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal pocketing and gingival bleeding did not appear to be related to hypertension in non-diabetic, non-smoking individuals aged 30-49 years. Further studies using experimental study designs would be required to determine the role of infectious periodontal diseases in the development or progression of hypertension.

Role of insulin sensitivity and beta cell function in the development of periodontal disease in adults without diabetes.

AIM: The goal of this study was to explore whether insulin resistance and beta cell function are related to periodontal pocket formation, indicative of infectious periodontal disease in non-smoking adults without manifest diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed data from a Health 2000 Survey consisting of dentate subjects without any indication of diabetes, aged between 30 and 64, who had never smoked and who had participated in the Follow-up Study on Finnish Adults' Oral Health about 4 years later (n = 157). The Homeostasis Model Assessment Indices were used to measure insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and ß-cell function (HOMA-B). The development of periodontal disease was measured by means of the incidence of deepened periodontal pockets (4 mm deep or deeper) during the follow-up period. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated using Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Both HOMA-IR and HOMA-B indices were associated with periodontal pocket formation during the 4-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The results of this follow-up study suggest that impaired glucose metabolism measured as insulin resistance and altered beta cell function predict the breakdown of periodontal tissues. Further studies about their role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases are needed.

Serum lipids modify periodontal infection - C-reactive protein association.

AIM: To investigate whether low-grade inflammation-related factors such as serum low-density (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) modify the association between periodontal infection and C-reactive protein. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey, which consisted of dentate, non-diabetic, non-rheumatic subjects who were 30-49 years old (n = 2710). The extent of periodontal infection was measured by means of the number of teeth with periodontal pocket ≥4 mm and teeth with periodontal pocket ≥6 mm and systemic inflammation using high sensitive C-reactive protein. RESULTS: The extent of periodontal infection was associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein among those subjects whose HDL-C value was below the median value of 1.3 mmol/l or LDL-C above the median value of 3.4 mmol/l. Among those with HDL-C ≥ 1.3 mmol/l or LDL-C ≤ 3.4 mmol/l, the association between periodontal infection and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein was practically non-existent. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the relation of periodontal infection to the systemic inflammatory condition is more complicated than previously presumed. The findings of this study suggest that the possible systemic effect of periodontal infection is dependent on serum lipid composition.

Serum cholesterol ratios and periodontal infection: results of the Health 2000 Survey.

AIM: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether serum total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL) ratio and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL/HDL) ratio are associated with periodontal infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey, which included dentate, non-diabetic subjects who had never smoked and who were aged between 30 and 49 years (n=1297). The numbers of teeth with deepened (4 mm deep or deeper) and with deep (6 mm deep or deeper) periodontal pockets were used as outcome variables, as well as the presence of gingival bleeding. RESULTS: We found no consistent associations between TC/HDL or LDL/HDL ratios and the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets or the presence of gingival bleeding among normal weight subjects. Nor were there any consistent associations between TC/HDL or LDL/HDL ratios and the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets or the presence of gingival bleeding among subjects whose body mass index was 25 or more. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not provide evidence that unfavourable lipid composition can be considered as an important risk for periodontal infection in a general adult population.

Association between periodontal infection and obesity: results of the Health 2000 Survey.

AIM: To investigate the role of periodontal infection in obesity in an adult population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey that included dentate, non-diabetic subjects, aged 30-49 years (n=2784). Obesity was measured using the body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%) and waist circumference (WC). The extent of periodontal infection was measured using the number of teeth with deepened (4 mm deep or deeper) periodontal pockets and was categorized into four categories (0, 1-3, 4-6, 7 or more). RESULTS: The number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets was found to be associated with BMI in an exposure-response manner among the total study population. The association was found among men and women, and also among never-smokers. The number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets was also associated with BF% and WC among never-smokers. CONCLUSION: Periodontal infection measured by means of the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets appears to be associated with obesity. However, no inferences about causality can be made and further studies are needed to clarify the possible role of periodontal infection in obesity.

Overweight and obesity weakly predict the development of periodontal infection.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between body weight and periodontal infection in a longitudinal setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey that included dentate, non-diabetic subjects aged 30-59 years, who had never smoked and who had participated in the Follow-Up Study on Finnish Adults' Oral Health approximately 4 years later (n=396). The number of new teeth with deepened (4 mm deep or deeper) periodontal pockets in the follow-up examination was used as the outcome variable. Body weight was measured using body mass index, categorized into three categories: <25.0 (normal weight), 25.0-29.9 (overweight) and 30.0 or more (obesity). Incidence rate ratios were estimated using Poisson's regression models. RESULTS: Body weight was weakly, but not statistically significantly, associated with the number of new teeth with deepened periodontal pockets among subjects who were periodontally healthy in the baseline examinations, whereas only a minuscule association was found among subjects who had periodontal infection at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this follow-up study do not provide evidence that overweight and obesity can be considered significant risk factors in the pathogenesis of periodontal infection.

Dual effect of statin medication on the periodontium.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between statin medication and periodontal infection in an adult population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey, which included dentate non-diabetic, non-rheumatic subjects who did not smoke, aged 40-69 years (n=2032). The main outcome variable was the number of teeth with periodontal pockets of 4 mm or more. Statin medication was categorized in two ways: firstly, subjects with statin medication of some sort (n=134) versus those with none, and secondly, subjects taking either simvastatin (n=58), atorvastatin (n=38), some other statin (n=38) or no statin medication. Relative risks (RR) were estimated using negative binomial and Poisson regression models. RESULTS: We found a weak negative association between statin medication and periodontal infection among subjects with dental plaque or gingival bleeding. Among subjects with no gingival bleeding, statin medication was found to be associated with an increased likelihood of having deepened periodontal pockets. CONCLUSION: Statin medication appears to have an effect on the periodontium that is dependent on the inflammatory condition of the periodontium. More evidence is needed to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the effects of statins.

Role of serum cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in the association between body weight and periodontal infection.

AIM: To study the role of serum cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) as potential mediators in the association between body weight and periodontal infection among an adult population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Health Examination Survey, which included dentate non-diabetic, non-rheumatic subjects, aged between 45 and 64 years, who had never smoked and whose serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were analysed and whose periodontal status was clinically determined (effective n=425). The number of teeth with periodontal pockets of 4 mm or more and the number of teeth with periodontal pockets of 6 mm or more were used as outcome variables. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Serum IL-6, but not TNF-alpha associated with teeth with deepened periodontal pockets. Multivariate models showed that IL-6, but not TNF-alpha, could mediate the effect of body weight on periodontium. CONCLUSION: In this population of non-diabetic and non-rheumatic subjects, who had never smoked, serum IL-6 was associated with periodontal infection. The results suggest that serum IL-6 could be one mediating factor that connects body weight and periodontal infection.