Insulin sensitivity and periodontal infection in a non-diabetic, non-smoking adult population.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine whether there is an association of insulin sensitivity with periodontal infection in a non-diabetic, non-smoking adult population.


METHODS
A subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey (effective n=2050) consisted of dentate subjects without any indication of diabetes, aged between 30 and 64, and who had never smoked. The outcome variable was periodontal infection measured by means of the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets. Insulin sensitivity was measured using the homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the relative risks and 95% confidence intervals.


RESULTS
We found that insulin sensitivity was associated with periodontal infection in the age group 30-49, but not in persons aged 50-64. Controlling for body weight made the association between insulin sensitivity and periodontal infection disappear.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of knowledge of the underlying causal model prevents making definite conclusions about the role of reduced insulin sensitivity in the pathogenesis of periodontal infection.
Department of Periodontology and Geriatric Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. petra.timonen@oulu.fi
Petra
P
Timonen
Liisa
L
Suominen-Taipale
Antti
A
Jula
Mirka
M
Niskanen
Matti
M
Knuuttila
Pekka
P
Ylöstalo
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking
D001786:Blood Glucose