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

• Main Authors: 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
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-07-01
• Series: Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
• Subjects: vitamin D; Periodontitis; Genetic; Epidemiology; Disease prevention; Public health
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X21002667

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.