Periodontitis and intake of thiamine, riboflavin and niacin among Korean adults

Objectives Adequate intake of vitamin B complex could be prerequisite to health. However, few studies have been reported on the association of thiamine (vit B-1), riboflavin (vit B-2) and niacin (vit B-3) with periodontal health. This study described the association between periodontal health and dietary vit B-1, vit B-2 and vit B-3 intake in the Korean population. Methods A total of 12 750 adults aged over 19 years were selected for this study as a sub-sample of the national data set from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (IV and V). Periodontitis and gingivitis were defined as Community Periodontal Index (CPI) scores of 3-4 and 1-2, respectively. Information on dietary vit B-1, vit B-2 and vit B-3 intake was from 24-hour dietary recall method. Multivariable complex logistic regression analyses estimated association between vit B-1, vit B-2 and vit B-3 intakes and periodontal health after adjusting for various potential confounders. Stratified analyses by age, sex, dyslipidemia and total energy intake were also undertaken. Results The overall estimated prevalence of periodontitis (CPI 3-4) and gingivitis (CPI 1-2) was 29.9% and 46.6%, respectively. Our data showed none of the inadequate intake of vit B-1, vit B-2 and B-3 showed significant association with gingivitis after adjusting for potential confounders. Inadequate intake of vit B-3 showed higher prevalence odds of periodontitis by 1.25 times (adjusted odds ratio = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.07-1.46). The association of vit B-3 with periodontitis was stronger in females and participants aged 40-59 years. Conclusions Inadequate dietary intake of vit B-3 was associated with periodontitis.