Recent research has examined the association between periodontitis and all-cause as well as cause-specific mortality rates among adults diagnosed with depression, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) across three periods (1988–1994; 1999–2004; 2009–2014).
Cox proportional hazards and Weibull accelerated failure time (AFT) models were employed to analyze the data, calculating hazard ratios (HRs) and time ratios (TRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the impact of moderate-to-severe periodontitis on mortality among participants with depression. The study also measured white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels to explore the potential mediating role of systemic inflammation.
Among the 1,189 participants, who had a median follow-up of 9.25 years, 133 deaths were recorded. After adjusting for various confounding factors, findings revealed a significant association between moderate-to-severe periodontitis and an increased risk of cancer-related mortality in individuals with depression (Cox: HR 3.22, 95% CI 1.51–6.83, P = 0.002; AFT: TR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52–0.94, P = 0.017). Notably, the risk of cancer-related mortality escalated with the severity of periodontitis (P for trend = 0.021), while no significant links were found between periodontitis and other types of mortality.
Interestingly, the study did not identify a significant mediating effect of systemic inflammation, as measured by WBC and CRP levels, on the association between periodontitis and cancer-related mortality.
These findings emphasize the need for improved periodontal health management in individuals with depression. By establishing a connection between periodontitis and elevated cancer mortality risk, the study advocates for the potential benefits of preventive dental care and periodontal treatments in this vulnerable population.
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