Periodontal disease and endometriosis: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether an association exists between endometriosis and periodontal disease, because endometriosis and periodontal disease are chronic, inflammatory processes more common in patients with systemic autoimmune disorders and because each disease alters immune modulators.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
University health system and statistical center.


METHODS
Data for 4136 women, ages 18-50, in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2004.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Periodontitis and gingivitis among those patients with and without self-reported endometriosis.


RESULTS
Multinomial logistic regression showed that women with self-reported endometriosis had significantly (57%) higher odds of having both gingivitis and periodontitis relative to not having periodontal disease, compared with women without self-reported endometriosis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.06, 2.33), when controlling for other relevant factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest a possible association between endometriosis and periodontal disease. Although it is conceivable that the multifactorial development of endometriosis may be augmented by an immune response to an infectious agent, the potential underlying link between endometriosis and periodontal disease may be a generalized, global immune dysregulation.
Kavoussi
Shahryar K
SK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Michigan Endometriosis Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
West
Brady T
BT
Taylor
George W
GW
Lebovic
Dan I
DI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult