Periodontitis Is Associated With Poor Blood Pressure Control in Treated Hypertensive Individuals

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Periodontal Medicine
• Hypertension Research

Background:

• Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Periodontitis, a common gum infection, has been increasingly linked to systemic health conditions.
• The relationship between periodontitis severity and hypertension control requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between periodontitis at baseline and uncontrolled hypertension.
• To explore this link across two distinct cohort waves.

Main Methods:

• Periodontitis assessed via categorical (non-severe, localised severe, generalised severe) and continuous measures (mean probing depth, clinical attachment level).
• Uncontrolled hypertension defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg.
• Mixed-effects logistic regression used to analyze associations, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

• 417 treated hypertensive participants (53-73 years) included.
• Severe periodontitis (localised/generalised) associated with higher odds of uncontrolled hypertension (OR 1.56-1.74).
• Severe periodontitis linked to uncontrolled SBP, but not DBP; similar findings for mean PD and CAL.

Conclusions:

• Severe periodontitis is associated with poorer blood pressure control in treated hypertensive patients.
• The primary driver appears to be an increased likelihood of uncontrolled systolic blood pressure (SBP).
• Findings underscore the importance of considering oral health in hypertension management.