IADR Abstract Archives

Body mass index is associated with the extent of periodontitis

Objectives: Obesity is a risk factor for several chronic diseases. Results of the previous studies on the association between obesity and periodontitis are inconsistent. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there is an association between obesity and periodontitis among adult Finnish population.

Methods: The present study employs data from the nationally representative Health 2000 Health Examination Survey carried out in 2000-2001 by the National Public Health Institute of Finland. Data analyses were restricted to non-diabetic subjects aged 30 to 50 years (n=3022). The extent of periodontitis was measured by the number of teeth having periodontal pockets 4 mm or more. Obesity was measured using body mass index (BMI). Relative risks (RR) and confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using Poisson regression models.

Results: We found a weak relation of obesity to periodontitis after controlling for gender, age, education, a number of teeth and smoking, RR 1.24 (95 % CI 1.08–1.44) for those with BMI 30 or higher compared to reference group (BMI <23). In stratified analyses we found that the relation was modified by smoking: obesity (BMI ≥ 30) increased the risk of periodontitis more among never-smokers RR 1.73 (95% CI 1.37–2.18) than among daily smokers RR 1.05 (95% CI 0.84–1.32).

Conclusions: Results suggest that obesity increases the risk for periodontitis, and this relation is modified by smoking. Results also imply that obesity could confound the relation of periodontal diseases and systemic diseases.


Pan European Federation Meeting
2006 Pan European Federation Meeting (Dublin, Ireland)
Dublin, Ireland
2006
154
Scientific Groups
  • Ylöstalo, Pekka  ( University of Oulu, University of Oulu, N/A, Finland )
  • Suominen-taipale, Anna Liisa  ( Finnish National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, N/A, Finland )
  • Reunanen, Antti  ( National Public Health Institute (KTL), Helsinki, N/A, Finland )
  • Knuuttila, Matti  ( University of Oulu -, Oulu, N/A, Finland )
    • Poster Session
    H. Periodontal Research, Poster Session I
    09/13/2006