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Severe periodontitis linked to higher mortality rate in cirrhosis
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AMSTERDAM — Severe periodontitis predicts higher cause mortality among patients with cirrhosis, according to data presented at the International Liver Congress.
“Periodontitis may act as a persistent source of oral bacterial translocation, causing inflammation and increasing cirrhosis complications,” Lea Ladegaard Grønkjær, PhD, RN, from the Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, said in a press release. “As it can be treated successfully, however, we hope that our findings motivate more trials on this subject.”
The researchers enrolled 184 patients, of which 44% had severe periodontitis at study entry. Total follow-up time was 74,197 days. They assessed periodontitis and mortality association after adjustments for various risk factors.
According to the researchers, nearly half of the patients died during follow-up. Severe periodontitis was associated with higher all-cause mortality (adjusted HR = 1.45; 95% CI, 0.79-2.45) with an even stronger association in patients with cirrhosis (aHR = 2.29; 95% CI, 1.04-4.99).
“This study demonstrates the association between gum disease and risk of death in patients with liver disease,” Philip Newsome, PhD, from the University of Birmingham, U.K., and EASL governing board member, said in the press release. “Further studies are now required to determine if improving gum care can improve outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis.” – by Talitha Bennett
Reference: Grønkjær LL, et al. Abstract #LBP-524. Presented at: International Liver Congress; April 19-24, 2017; Amsterdam.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.