Metabolic syndrome as a risk indicator for periodontal disease and tooth loss

Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) with periodontitis (PE) and tooth loss (TL). Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 363 individuals who underwent full-mouth periodontal examination, and the association between MS and PE was evaluated considering three outcomes: severe periodontitis, mean probing depth ≥2.4 mm, and mean clinical attachment loss ≥2.0 mm. The prevalence ratio (PR) between MS and PE was calculated using a model adjusted for gender, age, smoking, years of education, and socioeconomic status. Results The adjusted model showed a PR for severe periodontitis of 1.17 (95 % CI 0.83–1.65). There was no significant association between MS and PE defined as mean probing depth ≥2.4 mm. MS was significantly associated with PE defined as mean attachment loss ≥2 mm in individuals aged 41–60 years (PR 1.47, 95 % CI 1.05–2.06). In addition, MS was associated with TL (>6 teeth) (PR 1.23, 95 % CI 1.02–1.49) for all ages, both in crude and adjusted analyses. Conclusions We concluded that there is a weak association of MS with both attachment loss and TL. Clinical relevance Patients with MS seem to have a higher risk of attachment loss and tooth loss and should be screened for periodontal disease.