High serum iron markers are associated with periodontitis in post-menopausal women: A population-based study (NHANES III)

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the association between increased serum markers of iron (ferritin and transferrin saturation) and the severity and extent of periodontitis in post-menopausal (PM) women.

Materials and methods: Data from 982 PM women participating in NHANES III were analysed. Exposures were high ferritin (≥300 μg/ml) and transferrin saturation (≥45%). The primary outcome was moderate/severe periodontitis defined according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology. The extent of periodontitis was also assessed as outcome: proportion of sites affected by clinical attachment loss ≥4 mm and probing depth ≥4 mm. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) and mean ratio (MR) were estimated using Poisson regression.

Results: The prevalence of moderate/severe periodontitis was 27.56%. High ferritin was associated with moderate/severe periodontitis in the crude (PR 1.55, p = .018) and in the final adjusted model (PR 1.53, p = .008). High ferritin and transferrin saturation levels were associated with a higher proportion of sites with clinical attachment loss ≥4 mm (p < .05).

Conclusions: The increasing serum iron markers seem to contribute to periodontitis severity and extent in PM women.

Keywords: ferritin; menopause; periodontal diseases; transferrin.