IADR Abstract Archives
Influence of Periodontitis on Glycated Hemoglobin Trajectory
Objectives: The burden of diabetes is increasing globally, but little is known of the natural history of hyperglycemia. A bidirectional link between hyperglycemia and periodontitis has recently been recognised. Our objectives were : (1) to identify trajectories of glycemia over 12 years in a relatively young birth cohort; and (2) to examine the influence of periodontitis on trajectory groups.
Methods: The Dunedin Study is a longitudinal study of a complete birth cohort born in Dunedin, NZ between 1/4/72 and 31/3/73. Periodontal and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) data were gathered at ages 26, 32 and 38. HbA1c levels reflect average blood glucose over the previous one to three months. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to identify HbA1c trajectories. The influence of periodontitis at 32 and 38 was examined by adding the prevalence of periodontitis, defined as 1+ sites with 4+mm attachment loss (AL) at ages 32 and 38, to the specification of the trajectories, while controlling for sex, socioeconomic status and BMI.
Results: Data were available for 801 participants. Mean HbA1c and the prevalence of periodontitis both increased with age. Two HbA1c trajectories were identified: low (involving 46.6% of participants) and high (53.4%). For both trajectories, having 1+ sites with 4+mm AL at 32 and 38 was associated with higher HbA1c scores: 0.51 mmol/mol and 0.50 mmol/mol higher at 32 and 38 respectively for the low trajectory; and 0.67 mmol/mol and 0.68 mmol/mol higher at 32 and 38 respectively for the high trajectory. These higher scores equate to increases of 1.6% and 1.9% for the low and high trajectories respectively.
Conclusions: Periodontitis was associated with higher HbA1c scores in both high and low trajectory groups, with the high trajectory group experiencing the greater increase.
Methods: The Dunedin Study is a longitudinal study of a complete birth cohort born in Dunedin, NZ between 1/4/72 and 31/3/73. Periodontal and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) data were gathered at ages 26, 32 and 38. HbA1c levels reflect average blood glucose over the previous one to three months. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to identify HbA1c trajectories. The influence of periodontitis at 32 and 38 was examined by adding the prevalence of periodontitis, defined as 1+ sites with 4+mm attachment loss (AL) at ages 32 and 38, to the specification of the trajectories, while controlling for sex, socioeconomic status and BMI.
Results: Data were available for 801 participants. Mean HbA1c and the prevalence of periodontitis both increased with age. Two HbA1c trajectories were identified: low (involving 46.6% of participants) and high (53.4%). For both trajectories, having 1+ sites with 4+mm AL at 32 and 38 was associated with higher HbA1c scores: 0.51 mmol/mol and 0.50 mmol/mol higher at 32 and 38 respectively for the low trajectory; and 0.67 mmol/mol and 0.68 mmol/mol higher at 32 and 38 respectively for the high trajectory. These higher scores equate to increases of 1.6% and 1.9% for the low and high trajectories respectively.
Conclusions: Periodontitis was associated with higher HbA1c scores in both high and low trajectory groups, with the high trajectory group experiencing the greater increase.