Association of periodontal condition with insulin sensitivity – results of the Oulu1935 cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether baseline periodontal condition predicts reduced insulin sensitivity (RIS) over a follow-up period of about 15 years among participants with baseline euglycemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A subpopulation (n = 224) of the Oulu1935 cohort was studied. Periodontal condition was defined by the presence and number of sites with periodontal pockets (probing pocket depth ≥ 4 mm) or by the participant being edentulous. Insulin sensitivity was measured using the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, with the lowest tertile indicating RIS. Rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Poisson regression models with a robust error variance. RESULTS: RIS was observed in 21.3% of the dentate participants without periodontal pockets, 32.8% of those with 1-6 sites with pockets, 33.3% of those with ≥ 7 sites with pockets, and 40.8% of the edentulous participants. Furthermore, adjusted RRs with 95% CIs (in parentheses) for the association of periodontal condition with RIS (reference: dentate participants without periodontal pockets) were 1.4 (0.8-2.6), 1.1 (0.6-2.1), and 1.4 (0.8-2.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Poor periodontal condition and edentulousness predicted RIS. A healthy periodontium appears to support normal insulin function, but further studies are needed.