Association of some specific nutrient deficiencies with periodontal disease in elderly people: A systematic literature review.
OBJECTIVE
Deficiency of vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium has been associated with periodontal disease. This article systematically reviews the currently available literature on the feasible association of vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium deficiencies with periodontal disease in elderly people.


METHODS
We performed a systematic review of relevant English- and Dutch-language medical literature published from January 1990 to May 2007, with critical appraisal of those studies evaluating the association of vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium deficiencies with periodontal disease in elderly people.


RESULTS
None of the studies meeting the selection criteria included institutionalized elderly people. In the studies on non-institutionalized elderly people, no significant or consistent association was found between vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium dietary intakes and serum levels and periodontal disease. Although in those studies decreased dietary vitamin C intake was found to be associated with increased risk of periodontal disease, no conclusive evidence could be demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence of an association of vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium deficiencies with periodontal disease in non-institutionalized elderly people. To produce conclusive evidence on the subject of this systematic literature review, longitudinal cohort studies and follow-up randomized controlled trials are needed.
van der Putten
Gert-Jan
GJ
Zorgaccent Amersfoort Medical Services, Amersfoort, The Netherlands. gjvdputten@hetnet.nl
Vanobbergen
Jacques
J
De Visschere
Luc
L
Schols
Jos
J
de Baat
Cees
C
D000368:Aged; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D002118:Calcium / Q000172:deficiency; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014804:Vitamin B Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications
D002118:Calcium