Relationship between metabolic syndrome and diagnoses of periodontal diseases among participants in a large Taiwanese cohort.

OBJECTIVE

Epidemiological studies suggested that individuals suffering from periodontitis present with greater prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and diabetes. We used a large health check-up data set in Taiwan to investigate this association.

METHODS

Data from 33,740 individuals, who undertook comprehensive health check-up at a university hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, were analysed. The dental examinations were undertaken by experienced dentists, and the diagnosis of MetS was made according to the criteria defined by the Third Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program.

RESULTS

After adjusting for potential confounders, females and males in the periodontitis group had higher levels of blood pressure, blood glucose, triglyceride and body mass index, but lower high-density lipoprotein compared to controls. Females in the gingivitis and periodontitis group showed greater odds ratios [1.42 (95% CI: 1.30-1.56) and 1.52 (1.41-1.63) respectively] of being diagnosed with MetS, whereas males in the gingivitis and periodontitis group presented with odds ratios of being diagnosed with MetS of 1.06 (0.94-1.18) and 1.04 (0.96-1.12) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A small but statistically significant association between MetS and the diagnosis of periodontal diseases was found in Taiwanese women and a weaker association in Taiwanese men.