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Periodontics

Does periodontitis have any association with mild cognitive impairment?

Evidence-Based Dentistry (2024)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Data sources

This study aimed at determining the association between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment. For this, different electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science, were searched for finding the relevant literature. In addition, hand searching of relevant journals was also done to find gray literature.

Study selection

The systematic review included observational studies only. Accordingly, case-control, cohort and cross-sectional studies were searched. The search strategy was based on PECO framework, wherein the studies which included patients with/without periodontitis and patients with/without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

A total of 7 studies were included and the data from these studies and the data including bibliographic details, demographic data, data about periodontitis, presence of MCI etc. was extracted from the included articles. The extracted data, was then assessed for heterogeneity using clinical parameters and I2 statistical test. Owing to low heterogeneity, fixed-effects model was used for meta-analysis.

Results

Meta-analysis was done to determine the association between periodontitis and MCI and significantly higher incidence of MCI was found in patients with periodontitis OR = OR, 1.70 (95% CI: 1.24–2.32, p < 0.001). A subgroup analysis was done by including the studies comparing incidence of MCI in patients with severe periodontitis, which resulted in even stronger association with an OR of 2.09 (95% CI: 1.49–2.92, p < 0.001). Lastly, periodontal parameters, including CAL, PPD, and PI were compared amongst patients with/without MCI. Significant differences were observed for both CAL and PI, with worsening of values in patients with MCI. Observed mean difference for CAL and PI were 0.44 (95% CI: 0.12–0.75) and 0.72 (95% CI:0.50–0.93), respectively. NS differences were observed for PPD values with a mean difference of 0.21 and 95% CI as −0.08 to 0.49.

Conclusions

Strong association between periodontitis and MCI was observed, indicating periodontitis to be a risk factor for MCI.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, DAV (C) Dental College Yamunanagar, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, India

    Neeraj Gugnani

  2. Department of Periodontics and Oral Implantology, DAV (C) Dental College Yamunanagar, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, India

    Shalini Gugnani

Authors
  1. Neeraj Gugnani
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  2. Shalini Gugnani
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neeraj Gugnani.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics declaration

Neeraj Gugnani serves as an Editorial Board Member on Evidence-Based Dentistry.

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Gugnani, N., Gugnani, S. Does periodontitis have any association with mild cognitive impairment?. Evid Based Dent (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-024-01015-5

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