Longitudinal association between periodontal condition and glycemic status in middle-aged adults: A cross-lagged panel analysis.

AIM: This study investigated the existence of a bidirectional temporal relationship between periodontal condition and glycemic status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This longitudinal study included 2,198 participants with mean age 43.4±7.7 years, who underwent dental examinations in Yokohama, Japan at two-time points, 2003-2004 and 2008-2009, at an interval of five years. Periodontal condition was assessed by the mean value of probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Glycemic status was assessed by fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

RESULTS: The cross-lagged panel models showed the effect of HbA1c at baseline on mean PPD at follow-up was found (β = 0.044, p = 0.039). There was a marginally effect of fasting glucose on mean PPD (β = 0.037, p = 0.059). It was similar to the effect of fasting glucose or HbAlc on mean CAL. However, in the opposite direction, the effect of mean PPD or CAL at baseline on fasting glucose or HbAlc at follow-up was not identified.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a unidirectional relationship between glycemic status and periodontal condition. This study population has mostly mild periodontitis. Future studies are needed to investigate the effect of periodontal condition on glycemic status in patients with severe periodontitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.