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Elevated leukocyte count is associated with periodontitis in Korean adults: the 2012-2014 KNHANES
Y-J Kwon1, K-J Jeon2, T-H Chung3
1Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Higher leukocyte counts are linked to increased periodontitis risk in Korean adults. This study found a direct correlation between elevated white blood cell levels and the presence of gum disease.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health Research
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Periodontitis and elevated leukocyte counts are associated with cardiometabolic diseases.
- Understanding the relationship between leukocyte count and periodontitis is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between leukocyte count and periodontitis in a Korean adult population.
- To determine if higher leukocyte counts correlate with a higher prevalence of periodontitis.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study using data from 9391 participants in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2012-2014).
- Leukocyte counts were categorized into quartiles.
- Periodontitis was defined using the WHO's Community Periodontal Index.
- Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).
Main Results:
- Periodontitis prevalence increased with higher leukocyte quartiles (19% to 30.3%).
- The highest leukocyte quartile showed a significantly higher odds ratio for periodontitis (OR: 1.558, 95% CI: 1.285-1.891) compared to the lowest quartile, after adjusting for confounders.
Conclusions:
- An elevated leukocyte count is positively associated with the presence of periodontitis.
- Findings suggest a potential link between systemic inflammation markers and oral health status.
Objective:
Both an elevated leukocyte count and periodontitis share well-recognized associations with cardiometabolic diseases. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify whether the leukocyte count is associated with periodontitis in a nationally representative Korean adult population.
Materials And Methods:
Data from 9391 participants (3659 males and 5732 females) enrolled in 2012-2014 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Leukocyte quartiles were categorized as follows: 3000 ≤ Q1 ≤ 4870, 4880 ≤ Q2 ≤5790, 5800 ≤ Q3 ≤ 6840, and 6850 ≤ Q4 ≤ 10000 cells/μl. Periodontitis was defined as scoring greater than or equal to 'code 3' in at least one site according to the WHO's Community Periodontal Index. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for periodontitis in each leukocyte count quartile were calculated using multiple logistic regression analyses.
Results:
The prevalence of periodontitis was directly correlated with increasing leukocyte quartiles: 19%, 20.4%, 24.3%, and 30.3%. Compared with the lowest leukocyte quartile group, the OR (95% CI) for periodontitis of the highest leukocyte quartile was 1.558 (1.285-1.891) after controlling for confounding factors.
Conclusion:
An elevated leukocyte count was positively associated with the presence of periodontitis.
