Obesity and periodontitis in 60-70-year-old men

The aim was to investigate whether there was an association between obesity and periodontitis in a homogeneous group of 60-70-year-old Western European men. The study also explored whether a high body mass index (BMI) in early life predicted poor periodontal status in later life.

A representative sample of the male population of UK, who were enrolled in a cohort study of cardiovascular disease, was examined between 2001 and 2003. A total of 1362 men with six or more teeth completed a questionnaire, had a clinical periodontal examination and had their weight and height recorded. Multivariable analysis was carried out using logistic regression with adjustment for possible confounders. Models were constructed with low- and high- threshold periodontitis as dependent variables and with BMI as a categorical predictor variable. Low-threshold periodontitis was identified when at least two teeth had >/=6 mm loss of attachment and at least one site had a pocket of >/=5 mm. High-threshold periodontitis was identified when >/=15% of sites had >/=6 mm loss of attachment and there was deep pocketing (>/=6 mm). Modelling was repeated for other predictor variables including BMI at 21 years of age and change in weight since 21 years of age.

Two hundred and ninety-eight (21.9%) of the men studied, who had a BMI of >30 kg/m(2), were classified as obese. Obesity was associated with low-threshold periodontitis, odds ratio (OR)=1.77 (p=0.004) after adjustment for confounders. The BMI at 21 years of age did not predict periodontitis in the men investigated. Participants who had experienced a large (>30%) increase in weight during adulthood had an increased risk of poor periodontal condition; however, this was attenuated and no longer significant after adjustment for confounders.

It is concluded that obesity was associated with periodontitis in the homogeneous group of 60-70-year-old European men investigated. High BMI levels in early life did not predict periodontitis in later life in the men studied.