Relationship between clinical periodontal parameters and changes in liver enzymes levels over an 8-year period in an elderly Japanese population.

AIMS: An association between periodontal disease and liver enzymes has been reported previously. This study examined the relationship between clinical periodontal parameters and changes in liver enzymes levels in 265 non-institutionalized Japanese elderly aged 72 years over 8 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The number of sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 6 mm and clinical attachment level (CAL) ≥ 6 mm were measured. Changes in liver enzymes (alanine transaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST]) was grouped based on any elevation of concentrations. The relationship was determined by logistic regression with adjustment for confounders. Interaction test and stratified analysis were then performed according to smoking status and alcohol drinking habits, separately.

RESULTS: Elevation in ALT, but not AST, was significantly associated with PPD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10) and CAL (OR = 1.03). A significant interaction of periodontal parameters on ALT was observed with smoking status, but not with alcohol drinking habit. The stratified analysis suggested that ALT was found to be significantly correlated with PPD (OR = 1.20) and CAL (OR = 1.04) to those who were smoker.

CONCLUSION: The elevation in ALT levels might be associated with clinical periodontal parameters among non-institutionalized Japanese elderly, and this association was modified by smoking status.