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Self-reported gingivitis and tooth loss poorly predict C-reactive protein levels: a study among Finnish young adults
Pekka V Ylöstalo1, Marjo-Riitta Järvelin, Jaana Laitinen
1Department of Periodontology and Geriatric Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. pekka.ylostalo@oulu.fi
Objectives:
Our aim in this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether self-reported gingivitis and tooth loss were associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) using the same study population where these dental conditions have earlier been associated with prevalent angina pectoris.
Material And Methods:
The study population consisted of those Northern Finland birth cohort 1966 members who lived in Northern Finland or in the Helsinki region (n=8463) at the time of the survey (1996-1997). The participation rate in a health examination was 71% (n=6033). Gingivitis and tooth loss were determined on the basis of self-reported questions. Prevalence proportion ratios (PPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariate regression models.
Results:
The results showed that self-reported gingivitis and tooth loss were weakly associated with elevated levels of CRP (>3 mg/l): adjusted PPR 1.1, CI 1.0-1.3 and PPR 1.1, CI 0.7-1.7, respectively. The proportion of variation in CRP explained by self-reported gingivitis and tooth loss was small, being <1%.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that self-reported gingivitis and tooth loss have a miniscule effect on CRP levels among a general population of young adults.