Periodontitis is associated with uncontrolled hypertension: results from a cross-sectional study of urban elderly population in southeast China

Abstract

Abstract Background Periodontitis is a common local inflammatory disease associated with hypertension, this study aims to explore the relationship between periodontitis and uncontrolled hypertension and whether inflammation indication is a mediator of this relationship.Methods 1488 elders attending annual physical and oral examinations in Zhejiang province were included in this study. The staging of Periodontitis was classified as none, mild-moderate and severe. Uncontrolled hypertension was categorized as: normotensive (SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg) and hypertensive (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg). Peripheral blood samples were collected, information on hypertension history and potential confounders (age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise frequency, diabetes) was collected in questionnaires. The correlation between periodontitis and hypertension was investigated using linear regression analyses, mediation analysis was assessed for the effect of inflammation on hypertension.Results The results showed that uncontrolled hypertension is statistically significant associated with periodontitis, the association is mediated by inflammation indexes.Conclusions In a study of urban elderly population in southeast China, periodontitis is found to be significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension, such relation is mediated by WBC and neutrophil count. Promotion of periodontal health strategies in the dental setting could help reduce the burden of hypertension and its complications.