IADR Abstract Archives
The Causal Impact of Ambient Air Pollution on Gum Problems
Objectives: Despite the growing evidence of the relationship between ambient air pollution and gum problems, most studies have relied on observational data, which can be challenging for establishing causality. The aim of this study was to use Mendelian randomization to investigate the direct and indirect causal impact of ambient air pollution on gum problems.
Methods: Our study applied univariable Mendelian randomization using Genome-wide association studies data from the UK Biobank for exposures (PM2.5-10µm, PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and nitrogen oxides) and outcomes (bleeding gums and painful gums). Mediators between air pollution and gum disease included inflammatory indicators (C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen, and white blood cell count), oxidative stress (glutathione peroxidase 7), and immune function (DNA methylation GrimAge acceleration, PhenoAge acceleration, Hannum age acceleration, and overall health condition).
Results: Nitrogen dioxide (OR=1.021, [1.012-1.030]), nitrogen oxides (1.032 [1.013-1.051]), and PM10 (1.013 [1.002-1.024]) were directly associated with bleeding gums and indirectly through DNA methylation Hannum age acceleration and overall health conditions. Nitrogen dioxide (1.011 [1.007-1.015]), PM2.5 (1.012 [1.002-1.022]), and PM2.5 absorbance (1.012 [1.002-1.022]) were directly associated with painful gums and indirectly through health conditions. Nitrogen dioxide showed the largest total effect on bleeding gums (3.818 [3.245-5.227]) compared to other exposures. PM2.5 showed the largest total effect on painful gums (2.198 [2.105-2.298]) compared to other exposures.
Conclusions:
We found that ambient air pollution, especially nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5, may directly impact gum problems and indirectly through aging acceleration and poor health conditions.
Methods: Our study applied univariable Mendelian randomization using Genome-wide association studies data from the UK Biobank for exposures (PM2.5-10µm, PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and nitrogen oxides) and outcomes (bleeding gums and painful gums). Mediators between air pollution and gum disease included inflammatory indicators (C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen, and white blood cell count), oxidative stress (glutathione peroxidase 7), and immune function (DNA methylation GrimAge acceleration, PhenoAge acceleration, Hannum age acceleration, and overall health condition).
Results: Nitrogen dioxide (OR=1.021, [1.012-1.030]), nitrogen oxides (1.032 [1.013-1.051]), and PM10 (1.013 [1.002-1.024]) were directly associated with bleeding gums and indirectly through DNA methylation Hannum age acceleration and overall health conditions. Nitrogen dioxide (1.011 [1.007-1.015]), PM2.5 (1.012 [1.002-1.022]), and PM2.5 absorbance (1.012 [1.002-1.022]) were directly associated with painful gums and indirectly through health conditions. Nitrogen dioxide showed the largest total effect on bleeding gums (3.818 [3.245-5.227]) compared to other exposures. PM2.5 showed the largest total effect on painful gums (2.198 [2.105-2.298]) compared to other exposures.
Conclusions:
We found that ambient air pollution, especially nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5, may directly impact gum problems and indirectly through aging acceleration and poor health conditions.