Association between periodontitis severity and prostate-specific antigen levels using the NHANES data

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Urology
• Systemic Inflammation

Background:

• Periodontitis is linked to various systemic health conditions.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a marker for prostate cancer screening.
• The relationship between periodontitis and PSA levels requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between periodontitis and PSA levels.
• To determine if systemic diseases mediate the periodontitis-PSA relationship.
• To assess the impact of periodontitis severity on PSA levels.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of NHANES data from 3020 male participants across three cycles.
• Assessment of periodontitis severity using CDC/AAP criteria and EFP/AAP staging.
• Multilevel regression and mediation analyses for PSA, CRP, Ca, osteoporosis, and arthritis.

Main Results:

• A marginal association was found between periodontitis severity and total PSA levels (p < 0.05).
• No significant association was observed between periodontitis indicators and elevated PSA levels (>2, 2.5, or 4 ng/mL).
• Calcium, osteoporosis, arthritis, and CRP did not significantly mediate the relationship. Edentulous patients showed higher odds of requiring prostate therapy.

Conclusions:

• Periodontitis severity has a marginal association with total PSA, not significantly linked to elevated PSA thresholds.
• Systemic factors like calcium, osteoporosis, arthritis, and CRP do not mediate this association.
• Edentulous patients may require more intensive prostate disease treatment, suggesting a link between severe periodontal disease and prostate health outcomes.