Denture use and Risk for Cardiometabolic Disease: Observational and Mendelian Randomization analyses.

AIMS: Denture use may potentially increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), but the casual relevance and strength of the associations are currently unknown.

METHODS: 495 938 participants from the UK Biobank were included in the observational analyses. Linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC) regression and Mendelian randomization analyses were employed to estimate genetic correlation and the associations between the genetic liability for denture use with coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure (HF), any stroke (AS), ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and related clinical risk factors.

RESULTS: In observational analysis, denture use was associated with 14-25% higher risks of various CMDs. LDSC analysis found that denture use showed a positive genetic correlation with CMDs (rg 0.21-0.38). Genetic liability for denture use was associated with an elevated risk of HF [odds ratio:1.49 (1.20-1.83)] and T2D [1.11 (1.01-1.24)]. By integrating genetic summary data of denture use with the sum of Decayed, Missing, and Filled tooth Surfaces (DMFS), a clinical measure of dental caries obtained from an independent source, genetically-determined denture use/DMFS was also associated with an elevated risk of AS [1.21 (1.04-1.40)]. Furthermore, genetically-predicted denture use/DMFS was significantly associated with established cardiometabolic risk factors, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and height.

CONCLUSION: Our study supported potential causal associations between the genetic liability for denture use and risks for HF, AS, and T2D, and related clinical risk factors. These findings may inform prevention and intervention strategies targeting dental diseases and cardiometabolic diseases.