Background: Periodontitis and osteoporosis share some common risk factors, suggesting a possible link between two diseases. Findings of studies in this regard in postmenopausal women lack consistency and are inconclusive owing to variations in methodology and the presence of confounders. The present study assessed the inflammatory status as well as the sequelae of marginal inflammatory periodontal disease. It will be an aid to further elucidate the mechanisms operating in the association of periodontitis with bone mineral density.
Methods: Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (TG) (n=15) and normal bone mineral density (CG) (n=15) were included. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded.
Results: TG had significantly higher CAL than CG, whereas no difference was found in other parameters between the groups. There was no significant difference in periodontal parameters between groups at sites with PPD ≤4mm. Sites with PPD >4mm had significantly higher PI and GI in TG as compared to similar sites in CG. There was a significantly higher number of sites with CAL ≥5mm in TG as compared to CG.
Conclusion: Severity of attachment loss is greater in postmenopausal females with osteoporosis as compared to those with normal bone mineral density, with no support of any difference in periodontal inflammation estimated in terms of BOP.
Keywords: Inflammation, osteoporosis, periodontitis
