The relationship between serum lipids and periodontitis in elderly non-smokers

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum lipids and periodontitis in community-dwelling elderly non-smokers in Japan. Method: Two hundred and thirty-five subjects (63 males and 171 females) were randomly selected among those who were aged 78 years in Niigata city, Japan. Serum lipid levels were measured in non-fasting condition. Periodontal examinations were performed at six sites per tooth for all present teeth. The severity of periodontal diseases was assessed by the percentage of sites with pocket probing depth (PPD) ≥4mm, clinicalg attachment level (CAL) ≥4mm, and bleeding on probing (BOP). To evaluate the relationship between periodontal disease and serum lipids, multiple liner regression analysis was performed. A percentage of sites with PPD ≥4mm, CAL ≥4mm and BOP were used as a dependent variables, and total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), gender, alcohol intake, and number of present teeth were included in the model as independent variables. In addition, correlation among serum lipids, nutritional, mineral and inflammatory markers were evaluated using Peason correlation coefficients. Results: As results of multiple linear regression analysis, a percentage of sites with PPD ≥4mm, CAL ≥4mm, and BOP were negatively associated with TC. The standardized coefficients of TC for each periodontal marker were "-0.17 (p=0.009), "-0.16 (p=0.001), and "-0.21 (p=0.001), respectively. According to the results of the Peason correlation coefficients, TC was associated with albumin (r=0.32, p=<0.001), inorganic phosphorus (r=0.18, p=0.007), and calcium level (r=0.26, p=<0.001). HDL was associated with albumin (r=0.20, p=0.0002) and CRP level (r=-0.20, p=0.006). LDL was associated with albumin (r=0.20, p=0.002), inorganic phosphorus (r=0.23, p=0.001), and calcium level (r=0.22, p=0.001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that higher TC is associated with lower prevalence of periodontal disease in elderly. HDL and LDL might have different mechanisms for periodontal disease occurrence.