The association of hypertension with periodontitis is highlighted in female adults: results from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Aim: To evaluate the association of hypertension and high systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) with periodontitis in a nationally representative Korean adult population. Materials and Methods: Total of 14,625 participants of Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) aged over 19 years were cross-sectionally surveyed. Periodontitis was defined as CPI score of 3 or 4. Hypertension was categorized as: normotensive (SBP < 120 mmHg and DBP < 80 mmHg), pre-hypertensive (120 < SBP < 140 mmHg or 80 < DBP < 90 mmHg) and hypertensive (SBP >= 140 mmHg or DBP >= 90 mmHg or taking antihypertensive medication). Multivariate Poisson regression analyses were performed controlling for age, sex, household income, drinking, smoking, physical activity, obesity, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes mellitus. Stratified analyses were performed to identify specific risk groups. Results: Hypertension showed a significant positive association with periodontitis in the fully adjusted model in female adults with a dose-response relationship. This association was highlighted in females aged 30-59 years (prevalence ratio = 1.25; 95% confidence interval: 1.11-1.40). The strength of the association was highest in females aged 30-39 years and decreased with increasing age. Among females aged 30-59 years, high-risk groups of this link were lower middle income quartile, never drinker and non-diabetes groups for both pre-hypertension and hypertension. Conclusion: Our data showed that hypertension was associated with periodontitis in Korean female adults independent of known confounders.