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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Robust Ligature-Induced Model of Murine Periodontitis for the Evaluation of Oral Neutrophils
Published on: January 21, 2020
Periodontitis and pulmonary function: a Mendelian randomization study
Sebastian-Edgar Baumeister1, Michael Nolde2,3, Birte Holtfreter4
1Institute of Health Services Research in Dentistry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1 48149, Münster, Germany. sebastian.baumeister@uni-muenster.de.
Objectives:
Observational research suggests that periodontitis affects pulmonary function; however, observational studies are subject to confounding and reverse causation, making causal inference and the direction of these associations difficult. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the potential causal association between genetic liability to periodontitis and pulmonary function.
Materials And Methods:
We used six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with periodontitis (P < 5 × 10-6) from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 17,353 European descent periodontitis cases and 28,210 controls from the GeneLifestyle Interactions in Dental Endpoints consortium and the UK Biobank, and related these to SNPs from a lung function GWAS including 79,055 study participants of the SpiroMeta Consortium.
Results:
MR analysis suggested no effect of periodontitis on the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to lower forced vital capacity (standard deviation increment in outcome per doubling of the odds of the exposure (95% confidence interval) = - 0.004 (- 0.028; 0.020)). Replication analysis using genetic instruments from two different GWAS and sensitivity analyses to address potential pleiotropy led to no substantial changes in estimates.
Conclusions:
Collectively, these findings do not support a relationship between genetic liability for periodontitis and pulmonary function.
Clinical Relevance:
Periodontitis does not seem to be a risk factor for worsening of pulmonary function.
Insights
This study found no causal link between periodontitis and reduced pulmonary function. Genetic liability for periodontitis does not appear to worsen lung function, challenging previous observational findings.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pulmonology
- Periodontology
Background:
- Observational studies suggest a link between periodontitis and impaired pulmonary function.
- However, these studies are limited by confounding factors and reverse causation.
- Causal inference regarding this association requires robust methodology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between genetic predisposition to periodontitis and pulmonary function.
- To overcome limitations of observational studies using Mendelian randomization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
- Employed six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for periodontitis from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS).
- Linked these genetic instruments to lung function data from another substantial GWAS.
Main Results:
- MR analysis indicated no significant effect of periodontitis liability on forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio.
- Sensitivity and replication analyses using different GWAS data confirmed these estimates.
- No substantial changes in estimates were observed, reinforcing the primary finding.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support a causal relationship between genetic predisposition to periodontitis and pulmonary function.
- Periodontitis is unlikely to be a causal risk factor for the decline of pulmonary function.
