A Comparison of Periodontal Health in Elderly Individuals with and Without Metabolic Syndrome: A Retrospective Study

Background and Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that MetS is associated with an increased risk of periodontitis in elderly individuals. Materials and Methods: The Loma Linda University (LLU) institutional review board approved the conduct of this study. Search queries scanned LLU School of Dentistry patient records to identify dentulous individuals ≥ 60 years, with a minimum of 15 teeth and a full mouth series of digital periapical radiographs. Out of 3534 records of individuals ≥ 60 years, random sampling selected 40 MetS cases and 40 healthy controls. Fifteen records were discarded due to inadequate radiographs. The concurrent presence of central obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension was used to determine MetS status. Clinical periodontal measures were collected, and available radiographic records were used for alveolar bone measurements. Results: Probing depths ≥ 4 mm and bleeding on probing were significantly higher in the MetS group than the healthy group. Average alveolar bone levels, as well as sites with ≥4 mm bone loss, were also significantly higher in the MetS group than the healthy group. Multivariate analyses adjusting for demographics (age, gender, race), cigarette smoking, and plaque scores confirmed the adverse impact of MetS on periodontal measures. Conclusions: Elderly individuals with MetS have an increased risk of periodontal disease.