MedicalXPress — 20 December 2021
A University of Birmingham-led study shows an increased risk of patients developing illnesses including mental ill-health and heart conditions if they have a GP-recorded medical history of periodontal (gum) disease. Experts carried out a first-of-its-kind study of the GP records of 64,379 patients who had a recorded history of periodontal disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis. These patients’ records were compared to 251,161 patients with no record of periodontal disease.
The results, published in journal BMJ Open, showed that in patients with a recorded history of periodontal disease, the increased risk of developing mental ill-health was 37%, the risk of developing auto-immune disease was increased by 33%, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease was raised by 18%, while the risk of having a cardiometabolic disorder was increased by 7% (with the increased risk much higher for Type 2 diabetes at 26%).
Co-first author Dr Joht Singh Chandan of The University of Birmingham said: “Poor oral health is extremely common, both here in The UK and globally. We found evidence that periodontal disease appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing these associated chronic diseases. As periodontal diseases are very common, an increased risk of other chronic diseases may represent a substantial public health burden.” Co-senior author Professor Krish Nirantharakumar noted: “An important implication of our findings is the need for effective communication between dental and other healthcare professionals to ensure patients obtain an effective treatment plan targeting both oral and wider health to improve their existing overall health and reduce the risk of future illness.”