Relationship between blood triglyceride levels and periodontal status

The literature suggests that a link exists between the presence of periodontal disease and impaired lipid metabolism. However, most studies have focused on patients in private clinics or university hospitals. In the present study, we assessed associations between blood chemistry variables and periodontal disease status in rural communities of Japan.

A total of 823 residents participated in a comprehensive health screen. The medical screen included measurement of body mass index, blood pressure, hematocrit and blood chemistry, including levels of hemoglobin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP), creatinine, and plasma glucose. Periodontal status was assessed using the CPI scoring method. Of those participating, 133 subjects with a CPI of 4 (periodontal disease group) and age- and gender-matched control subjects with a CPI of less than 3 were selected for analysis.

The mean triglyceride level was significantly higher for the diseased group than for the control group (p < 0.05). The mean HDL-C level was higher for the control group than for the diseased group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Logistic regression model analysis revealed a significant relationship between elevated triglycerides (> 149 mg/dl) and the presence of periodontal disease (OR = 2.26 vs. < or = 149 mg/dl, p = 0.014).

The results indicate that serum triglyceride level might be a potential indicator for the presence of periodontal disease, suggesting the need for community-based longitudinal studies.