Association between Vitamin D Level in Blood and Periodontitis in Korean Elderly

This study identified an effective control method for periodontitis by investigating the association between blood levels of vitamin D and periodontitis in Korean elderly based on raw data from the fifth Korea National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey of 2010 (KNHANES). In this study, 1,021 adults over 65 years of age were evaluated based on data from the KNHANES. Periodontal disease was assessed using community periodontal index (CPI), with CPI codes ≥3 defined as periodontitis. Blood levels of vitamin D were measured from blood samples and divided into four groups (first quartile: ≤13.23 ng/ml, second quartile: 13.24∼16.95 ng/ml, third quartile: 16.96∼21.58 ng/ml), and fourth quartile >21.59 ng/ml). Using multiple logistic regression analyses, the variables were adjusted for general characteristics, oral health-related characteristics, health-related characteristics, and bone mineral density. The statistical analysis was performed using the SAS (ver. 9.2). The results of this study are as follows: the prevalence of periodontitis was 42.6% in Korean elderly. After adjusting for general, oral health-related, and health-related, the risk of periodontitis in the first quartile group was 1.74 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02∼2.98) higher than that of the fourth quartile group (p=0.041). After adjusting for general, oral health-related, and health-related characteristics as well as bone mineral density, the risk of periodontitis in the first quartile group was 1.73 times (95% CI, 1.02∼2.96) higher than that of the four quartile group (p=0.042). There was a significant relationship between blood vitamin D level and periodontitis in Korean elderly. For the prevention of periodontitis, factors related to vitamin D should be considered along with other risk factors.