Association between periodontitis and vitamin D status: A case-control study

Abdullah Ali H Alzahrani; Raed A Alharbi; Mohammed Sarhan A Alzahrani; Mohammed A Sindi; Ghalia Shamlan; Faisal A Alzahrani; Mohammad A Albanghali; Abdulmajeed Abdulghani A Sindi

doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.04.006

Association between periodontitis and vitamin D status: A case-control study

Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021 Jul;28(7):4016-4021. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.04.006. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Authors

Abdullah Ali H Alzahrani¹, Raed A Alharbi², Mohammed Sarhan A Alzahrani³, Mohammed A Sindi⁴, Ghalia Shamlan⁵, Faisal A Alzahrani⁶, Mohammad A Albanghali⁷, Abdulmajeed Abdulghani A Sindi⁸

Affiliations

¹ Dental Health Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, Albaha, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, Albaha, Saudi Arabia.
³ Endodontics Department, Faculty of Clinical Dentistry, Albaha University, Albaha, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Primary Health Care Administration, Public Health Directorate, 26522 Taif, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Dental Health Specialist, Department of Medical Services General Administration, Public Security, The Saudi Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Public Health Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, Albaha, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ Department of Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, 65779 Albaha, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency and periodontitis are commonly prevalent among Saudi adults. However, the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status has not been well documented. This study aims to examine the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status among adults in the Albaha region of Saudi Arabia. A case-control study of 123 Saudi adults was conducted; 60 had severe or moderate periodontitis, and 63 were periodontally healthy. Data was collected by an online self-reported sociodemographic questionnaire. All participants then underwent a full periodontal examination. Blood samples were also provided to assess participants' vitamin D statuses through serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A total of 60 cases and 63 controls matched for BMI (30.2 ± 4.86 kg/m²), age (40.01 ± 7.73 years), and sex (46.3% and 53.7% male and female, respectively) participated in the study. Mean levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower in periodontitis participants than in controls (25.03 ± 8.55 ng/ml, 29.19 ± 12.82 ng/ml, p = 0.037, respectively). Lower odds of periodontitis were detected per unit of 25(OH)D level (OR 0.964, 95% CI; 0.931-0.999, p = 0.043). In conclusion, periodontitis is significantly associated with deficient and insufficient levels of vitamin D among Saudi adults in the Albaha region. Future longitudinal research with a larger sample size may be suggested to confirm these results.

Keywords: 25(OH)D, Serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D; AL, Attachment Loss; BMI, Body Mass Index; Disease prevention; ESCPG, the Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guidelines; Epidemiology; Genetic; OR, Odd Ratio; PD, Probing Depth; Periodontitis; Public health; VDR, Vitamin D Receptor; vitamin D.