March 04, 2015
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
- Researchers evaluated 8208 adults aged ≥40 years to determine the association of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with periodontal disease and found that patients aged ≤60 years with periodontal disease had an increased risk for AMD (P = .006).
- Researchers suggest that further investigation of periodontal disease with AMD as well as reduction of periodontal disease risk is needed.
Abstract
PURPOSE
To study the association between periodontal disease (PD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
METHODS
For this cross-sectional analysis, 8,208 adults aged 40 years or older with retinal photographs graded for AMD were used from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III standardized dental measurements of PD status (defined as loss of >3 mm of attachment between the gum and tooth in at least 10% of sites measured). Participants were stratified into 60 years or younger and older than 60 years of age groups. Association between PD and AMD was assessed while controlling for sex, race, education, poverty income ratio, smoking, hypertension, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, and C-reactive protein.
RESULTS
In this population, a total of 52.30% had PD, and the prevalence of AMD was 11.45%. Logistic regression model controlled for confounders and stratified by age 60 years or younger versus older than 60 years showed PD to be independently associated with an increased risk for AMD (odds ratio = 1.96, 95% confidence interval = 1.22-3.14, P = 0.006) for those aged 60 years or younger but not for subjects older than 60 years (odds ratio = 1.32, confidence interval = 0.93-1.90, P = 0.120).
CONCLUSION
In this population-based study, PD is independently associated with AMD in those aged 60 years or younger.