title: The association between poor dental health and depression: findings from a large-scale, population-based study (the NHANES study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship of poor dental health and depression, controlling for markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein; CRP) and adiposity (body mass index; BMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from two National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2005-2008) were utilized (n=10214). Dental health was assessed using the Oral Health Questionnaire (OHQ). Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), where cases were identified using a cut off score of 10 or above. Logistic regression was applied to measure magnitude of associations, controlling for a range of covariates including CRP and BMI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for covariates, a significant dose-response relationship between number of oral health conditions and likelihood of PHQ-9 defined depression was observed. Compared with individuals without an oral health condition, adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for depression in those with two, four and six conditions were 1.60 (1.08-2.38), 2.13 (1.46-3.11) and 3.94 (2.72-5.72), respectively. Level of CRP and being underweight or obese were associated with being depressed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A positive association exists between poor dental health and depression that is independent of CRP and BMI.
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia. Electronic address: AONEIL@barwonhealth.org.au.
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Neil
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Parkville, Australia; Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Parkville, Australia; Mental Health Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
authors.forename: Kamalesh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Venugopal
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Parkville, Australia.
authors.forename: Lana J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Parkville, Australia.
authors.forename: Felice N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Jacka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D015897:Comorbidity; D003753:Dental Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: C-Reactive Protein (CRP); Dental disease; Dental health; Depression; Inflammation