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The Institute of German Dentists [Institut der Deutschen Zahnärzte (IDZ)] conducted four national cross-sectional surveys of oral health in the German resident population [German Oral Health Studies, "Deutsche Mundgesundheitsstudien", (DMS)]: in 1989 (DMS I, only West Germany), 1992 (DMS II, only East Germany), 1997 (DMS III), and 2005 (DMS IV). In this study, the first two surveys (1989/92) were merged to achieve comparability with the last two studies. The Studies of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) are two independent regional cross-sectional population-based studies conducted during 1997-2001 (SHIP-0) and 2008-2012 (SHIP-Trend) in northeast Germany. In this thesis, we addressed three main questions: First, we aimed to explore the relative contributions of clinical oral health variables assessing caries, periodontal status, and prosthetic status to self-perceived oral health by means of an age-specific approach in DMS IV. Second, we aimed to assess the changes of dental health in West and East Germany between 1989 and 2005 in DMS I-IV. Third, we aimed to evaluate the changes of periodontal status and number of teeth within the last decade based on data from the DMS and the SHIP studies. To explore the associations of self-perceived oral health with clinical oral health variables, we developed separate multinomial logistic regression models for adults and seniors in DMS IV by using stepwise methods. To assess the changes of dental health in West and East Germany between 1989 and 2005, we applied regression models and assessed associations between region, survey year, their interactions and variables assessing dental disease status (number of missing, filled, decayed and sound teeth, the DMFT-index and the probability of having ≤20 teeth), adjusting for potential risk factors for caries. To assess changes of periodontal status in Germany, prevalences, percentages and numbers of teeth affected were defined. In summary, the number of unreplaced teeth showed the strongest association with self-perceived oral health in adults and was the second variable to enter the model for seniors during the stepwise selection process. Between 1997 and 2005, the number of missing teeth considerably decreased in DMS but East Germans had consistently more missing teeth than West Germans in each survey year. Further, during the last decade, the periodontal status significantly improved in SHIP and in West German adults, which might translate into a even higher tooth retention in the future.
Chronic infections, including periodontal infections, may reduce lung function. To date, there are hardly any population-based studies evaluating the association between periodontitis and lung function. However, there are some studies that used variables associated with obstructive pulmonary diseases (FEV1, FEV1/FVC). Thus, we aimed to assess the potential association of periodontal diseases with lung volumes and airflow limitation in the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). Of 3300 participants aged 25-85 years of the 5-year follow-up (SHIP-1), 1809 subjects participated in lung function examinations. 1465 subjects were included in the analyses. Lung function was measured using spirometry, body plethysmography, helium dilution, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. Periodontal status was assessed by clinical attachment loss, probing depth, and number of missing teeth. Linear regression models using fractional polynomials were used to assess linear and non-linear associations between periodontal disease and lung function adjusting for confounders. Adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, physical activity, diabetes, asthma, and time between core and pulmonary examination, mean attachment loss was significantly associated with variables of dynamic and static lung volumes, airflow limitation and hyperinflation. Total lung capacity and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide were not associated with mean attachment loss. Adjustment for smoking and height considerably changed coefficients indicating profound confounding. Including fibrinogen and high sensitive CRP into fully adjusted models did not change coefficients of mean attachment loss. Restricted to never smokers, mean attachment loss was significantly associated with FEV1, FVC, and RV/TLC. Relations with lung function were confirmed for mean probing depth, extent measures of attachment loss/probing depth, and number of missing teeth. Periodontal disease was significantly associated with decreased lung function. Systemic inflammation did not provide a mechanism linking both diseases. However, cohort studies evaluating lung function in the current manner are needed to confirm results from this study and to assess a causal relationship. Furthermore, it needs to be investigated with the help of randomized clinical trials whether prevention or treatment of periodontitis might have a beneficial impact on lung function.
Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent oral diseases worldwide caused by multifactorial interactions between host and oral bacteria. Altered cellular metabolism of host and microbes releases a number of intermediary end-products known as metabolites. Recently, there is an increasing interest in identifying metabolites from oral fluids like saliva to widen the understanding of the complex pathogenesis of periodontitis. It is believed, that some metabolites might serve as indicators toward early detection and screening of periodontitis and perhaps even for monitoring its prognosis in the future. Because contemporary periodontal screening methods are deficient, there is an urgent need for novel approaches in periodontal screening procedures. To this end we associated oral parameters (clinical attachment level, periodontal probing depth, supragingival plaque, supragingival calculus, number of missing teeth, and removable denture) with a large set of salivary metabolites (n=383) obtained by mass spectrometry among a subsample (n=909) of non-diabetic participants of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-Trend-0). Linear regression analyses were performed in age-stratified groups and adjusted for potential confounders. A multifaceted image of associated metabolites (n=107) with considerable differences according to age groups was revealed. In the young (20-39 years) and middle-aged groups (40-59 years), we found metabolites predominantly associated with periodontal variables; whereas among the older subjects (60 + years), tooth loss was strongly associated with metabolite levels. Metabolites associated with periodontal variables were clearly linked to tissue destruction, host- defence mechanisms and bacterial metabolism. Across all age groups, the bacterial metabolite phenylacetate was significantly associated with periodontal variables. Our results revealed alterations of the salivary metabolome in association with age and oral health status. Among our comprehensive panel of metabolites, periodontitis was significantly associated with the bacterial metabolite phenylacetate, a promising substance for further biomarker research.
Diabetes mellitus has been linked with an increased risk for oral diseases, especially periodontitis. However, studies results were not consistent. The present study was conducted to evaluate whether both type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are associated with increased prevalence and extent of periodontal disease and tooth loss compared with non-diabetic subjects within a homogeneous adult study population. T1DM, T2DM and non-diabetic subjects were recruited from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). Additionally, T1DM subjects were retrieved from a Diabetes Centre in the same region. The total study population comprised 145 T1DM and 2,647 non-diabetic subjects aged 20-59 years, and 182 T2DM and 1,314 non-diabetic subjects aged 50-81 years. Multivariable regression revealed an association between T1DM and mean attachment loss (B=0.40 [95% CI; 0.19, 0.61], adjusted). Also, T1DM was positively associated with increased number of missing teeth after full adjustment (p<0.001). The association between T1DM and tooth loss was enhanced in subjects aged 40-49 and 50-59 years (p for interaction=0.01). In T2DM subjects, mean attachment loss was significantly higher compared with non-diabetic subjects (B=0.47 [95% CI; 0.21, 0.73], adjusted). The effect of T2DM was significantly enhanced in 60-69-years-old subjects (p for interaction=0.04). The association between T2DM and number of missing teeth was not statistically significant after adjustment (p=0.25). Analyses showed that the effect of T2DM on tooth loss was pronounced in females compared with males (p for interaction=0.01). In accordance with previous literature, present results suggested that periodontal diseases and tooth loss can been seen as a complication of both types of diabetes. Generally, periodontal diseases are preventable and treatable. Therefore, appropriate goals and strategies for improving periodontal health in subjects with diabetes need to be developed. Further, early detection and careful managed therapeutics with the physician and dentist working hand-in-hand may prove beneficial to the patient–s general health.
Aim: To evaluate the association of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) I related variables with periodontitis in the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). Material and Methods: From the cross-sectional SHIP, 2293 subjects with clinical attachment loss (CAL) data and 2398 subjects with tooth count data aged 20-59 years were analysed. Serum IGF-I and IGF binding protein (BP)-3 levels were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassays. Linear and logistic regressions with fractional polynomials were used to study associations between IGF-related variables and mean CAL or high tooth loss. For non-linear relations between IGFBP-3 and mean CAL, graphical presentations of fractional polynomials were used to deduce knots for linear splines. Results: In fully adjusted models, for serum IGFBP-3 values ≤1200 ng/mL, mean CAL increased significantly for decreasing serum IGFBP-3 levels (B=-0.027 (95% CI, -0.049; -0.005), p=0.02). The odds for high tooth loss decreased significantly for high serum IGFBP-3 values (OR=0.97 (0.95; 0.99), p=0.02). Serum IGF-I levels and the IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio were not related to mean CAL or tooth loss after full adjustment. Conclusions: Low serum IGFBP-3 levels might be associated with higher levels of periodontal disease. Neither serum IGF-I nor IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratios were associated with periodontitis.
The effect of interdental cleaning on progression of caries, periodontitis and tooth loss is a highly discussed topic in dental research since these conditions are among the most common infectious diseases of mankind. Caries is a multifactorial disease defined by a demineralization process of the dental hard tissue, caused by bacteria, which, if untreated ultimately results in tooth decay and tooth loss. A study published in 2015 confirmed that untreated caries in permanent teeth is still the most prevalent condition worldwide. Gingivitis, an acute inflammation of the gingival tissue, caused by substances deduced from the microbial plaque can develop into the clinical picture of an acute periodontitis. Severe periodontitis is still the sixth-most prevalent condition globally with a prevalence of 11.2% between 1990-2010. Progression of periodontitis leads to bone loss which as well ultimately results in tooth loss, if left untreated. In our study we want to examine the use of IDA in relation to caries and periodontal diseases, thus tooth retention to gain more detailed and long-term results about the effect of IDA and therefore prevent, counteract and understand these oral diseases better.
Using data from SHIP-TREND, a population-based observational cohort study conducted in Western Pomerania (Germany), we examined effects of daily usage of interdental cleaning aids on follow-up (SHIP-TREND-1) values of oral outcomes comprising caries (DFS, interdental DFS, non-interdental-DFS), gingivitis (plaque, BOP), chronic periodontitis (mean PD, mean interdental PD, mean non-interdental PD, mean CAL, mean interdental CAL, mean non-interdental CAL, CDC/APP case definition) and tooth loss (number of missing teeth) using comprehensively adjusted linear and ordinal logistic regression models. In total, data from over 2,000 participants with a follow-up time of approximately seven years were utilized. Based on interviews, participants were asked about their habit and the regularity of using interdental aids as a cleaning aid at home. Furthermore, the type of IDA was then analyzed and differentiated into groups of IDA non-users, wooden stick users, floss users and interdental brush users.
Regular interdental aids usage was associated with reduced levels of periodontitis severity (mean PD and mean CAL) and gingivitis variables (plaque and BOP). The beneficial effect was more pronounced in participants using dental floss or interdental brushes regularly. After seven years of follow-up, odds of having higher mean PD levels were halved (Odds Ratio 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35;0.66) comparing dental floss users with non-users. Respective ORs were 0.61 (95%CI 0.45;0.83) for mean CAL, 0.52 (95%CI 0.36;0.77) for BOP and 0.36 (95%CI 0.24;0.54) for plaque. Similarly, ORs for interdental brush users were 0.75 (95%CI 0.55;1.02) for mean PD, 0.64 (95%CI 0.41;0.97) for BOP and 0.55 (95%CI 0.39;0.77) for plaque, compared to non-users. For wooden sticks non-significant associations were found, which does not allow any statement to be made regarding possible effects on oral health. Caries variables (DF-S) and the number of missing teeth were non-significantly associated with interdental aids usage.
In conclusion, results suggest that interdental cleaning aids usage may contribute to healthier gums and reduced inflammation, if combined with daily toothbrushing and regular dental checkups. Specifically, dental flossing and interdental brushing might notably reduce gingival inflammation and therefore prevent chronic periodontitis. These findings contribute to a more distinct picture of how IDA might help to prevent oral diseases and must be properly integrated into our daily oral hygiene program.