[Relationship between periodontitis and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women].

objectiveTo explore the relationships of periodontal parameters, cortical width on mental foramen and osteoporotic condition in postmenopausal women.

methodsNinetyeight postmenopausal women between 50 to 65 years old were recruited. General conditions, such as age, menopausal age, duration of menopause, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Periodontal parameters were examined, including oral hygiene index simplified (OHI-S), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), gingival recession (GR) and bleeding on probing (BOP). Panoramic radiograph was taken and the cortical width (CW) of mental foramen was measured on images. The examiner was celebrated. Bone mass density (BMD) of left hip and lumbar spine was assessed using standardized dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. According to World Health Organization, based on the T-score of BMD (difference of the measured BMD and the mean value of young white women in terms of standard deviations), the subjects were divided into osteoporotic group (T-score<-2.5) and non-osteoporotic group (T-score≥-2.5). These parameters were compared between the groups.

resultsThe number of osteoporotic group was 47 (47.96%). Ages and duration of menopause were significantly different between the groups. Osteoporotic group presented older ages [(59.64±4.58) years vs. (56.94 ± 4.26) years, P<0.05], and longer duration of menopause [(10.17± 5.37) years vs. (6.02 ±4.48) years, P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in menopausal age and BMI between the groups. BOP% was statistically significantly higher in osteoporotic group (29.43±21.12) than in non-osteoporotic group (21.43±17.09), with a P-value of 0.046. The other periodontal parameters, including OHI-S, PD, CAL, and GR were not statistically significantly different in the groups. The CWs were statistically significantly lower in osteoporotic group compared with non-osteoporotic group, with a P-value of 0.001. The mean values of CWs were (3.61±1.04) mm (osteoporotic group) and (4.25±0.77) mm (non-osteoporotic group), respectively.

conclusionThe study demonstrated absence of a significant association between periodontal parameters and BMD. However, the CWs were found to be related with the BMD, which may be used to detect BMD abnormal in maxillofacial imaging. The dentists should pay attention not only to the oral health, but also to the general bone mass density, which may be detected on panoramic images.