Tooth loss and Helicobacter pylori seropositivity: the Newcastle Thousand Families Cohort Study at age 49-51 years.
BACKGROUND
Helicobacter pylori, one of the commonest chronic bacterial infections of humankind, is an important risk factor for gastric carcinoma. It has also been suggested to be present in dental plaque. This study investigated the potential link between the number of teeth lost and H. pylori seropositivity at age 50 years.


METHODS
H. pylori seropositivity at age 50 years was investigated among 334 individuals born in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, in May and June 1947 and related to the number of teeth lost, after adjusting for socioeconomic status.


RESULTS
The unadjusted risk of being seropositive for H. pylori increased with increasing number of teeth lost (odds ratio per tooth 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.06, p = .019). However, after adjustment for socioeconomic status at birth and at age 50 years, the relationship was no longer significant (p = .36).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results, obtained using prospectively collected data, suggest that any relationship between poor oral health and seropositivity to H. pylori may be due to both tooth loss and H. pylori colonization being associated with socioeconomic status and related factors.
Pearce
Mark S
MS
School of Clinical Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK. m.s.pearce@ncl.ac.uk
Steele
James G
JG
Campbell
David I
DI
Thomas
Julian E
JE
D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology