Purpose: To investigate how the number of remaining teeth relates to the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and markers of inflammation.
Materials and methods: A population-based prospective investigation of the vasculature in Uppsala seniors (PIVUS) study was carried out on 1016 subjects, aged 70.
Results: The number of teeth was self-reported in 947 subjects and was found to be less in those with MetS using National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP Ill) criteria (n = 219, mean 17.7 +/- 9.0 [SD]), compared with n = 728, mean 20.7 +/- 7.2 in those without MetS (p < 0.0001), and in proportion to the number of criteria fulfilled (p < 0.0001). The number of teeth was also inversely related to markers of inflammation (r = -0.15, p < 0.0001 for leukocyte count; r = -0.10, p = 0.0023 for C-reactive protein). In a multiple regression analysis, the presence of MetS, smoking, educational level, leukocyte count and height were independent predictors of the number of teeth.
Conclusions: In addition to established risk factors for tooth loss, the presence of MetS and inflammation were independent predictors of the number of teeth in an elderly population.