Association of hyperglycaemia with periodontal status: Results of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study

Aim To investigate the association of hyperglycaemia and changes in glycaemic control with periodontal status in non-diabetic individuals. Materials and methods A sub-population (n = 647) of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 was studied. We categorized long-term glucose balance based on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at ages 31 and 46: FPG <5.0 mmol/l (strict normoglycaemia), FPG 5.0-5.59 mmol/l (slightly elevated FPG) and FPG 5.6-6.9 mmol/l (prediabetes). Probing pocket depth (PPD) and alveolar bone level (BL) data were collected at age 46. Relative risks (RR, 95% CI) were estimated using Poisson regression models. Results Periodontal status was poorer in individuals whose glucose balance worsened from age 31 to 46 years than in those with a stable glucose balance. In the case of strict normoglycaemia at age 31 and slightly elevated FPG or prediabetes at age 46, the RRs for PPD >= 4 mm were 1.8 (95% CI 1.4-2.2) and 2.8 (95% CI 2.0-3.8) and for BL >= 5 mm 1.1 (95% CI 0.8-1.4) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.2-2.8), respectively. Conclusion The results of this population-based cohort study suggest that impairment in glucose control in non-diabetic individuals is associated with periodontal pocketing and alveolar bone loss.