Periodontitis Is Associated With Poor Blood Pressure Control in Treated Hypertensive Individuals

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the association between baseline periodontitis and uncontrolled hypertension across two cohort waves. Materials and Methods: Periodontitis severity was assessed using a categorical variable (non-severe, localised severe and generalised severe) and continuous measures, including mean probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). The primary outcome was uncontrolled hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg. Secondary outcomes were uncontrolled SBP and DBP analysed separately. Mixed-effects logistic regression was applied to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between periodontitis and blood pressure outcomes, with adjustment for potential confounders. Results: The study included 417 treated hypertensive participants, aged 53–73 years. Individuals with localised or generalised severe periodontitis were more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension than those with non-severe disease (OR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.01–2.41 and OR 1.74, 95% CI: 1.13–2.69, respectively). When SBP and DBP were examined separately, severe periodontitis was significantly associated with uncontrolled SBP but not DBP. Similar findings were observed for mean PD and CAL. Conclusions: Severe periodontitis was associated with poorer blood pressure control in treated hypertensive individuals, particularly through an increased likelihood of uncontrolled SBP.