(18-05-09) Periodontitis is associated with cognitive impairment among older adults: analysis of NHANES-III.

Noble JM, Borrell LN, Papapanou PN, Elkind M, Scarmeas N, Wright C.
The Neurological Institute of New York, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is ubiquitous and associated with serological evidence of exposure to periodontal organisms, systemic inflammation, and vascular disease. Dementia is a major public health problem likely related to a complex interaction between genetics and diseases associated with systemic inflammation, including diabetes, smoking, and stroke. METHODS: To assess relationships between systemic exposure to periodontal pathogens and cognitive test outcomes, we analyzed data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III), a nationally representative cross-sectional observational study among older adults. We included 2355 participants >/= 60 years who completed measures of cognition and Poryphyromonas gingivalis IgG. Using SUDAAN, logistic regression models examined the association of P.gingivalis IgG with cognitive test performance. RESULTS: Poor immediate verbal memory (<5/9 points) was prevalent in 5.7% and 6.5% overall had impaired delayed recall (<4/9); 22.1% had difficulty with serial subtractions (<5/5 trials correct). Individuals with the highest P.gingivalis IgG (>119 Elisa Units, EU) were more likely to have poor delayed verbal recall (OR=2.89, 95% CI: 1.14-7.29) and impaired subtraction (OR=1.95, 95%CI: 1.22-3.11) than those with the lowest (
Source: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009 May 5.

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