Does severity of periodontal disease influence the risk of developing gastrointestinal malignancies?

Abstract

e15549 Background: In recent years, multiple observational studies have suggested increased risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies in patients with prior periodontal disease (PD). Our aim was to determine whether a difference in incidence of GI malignancies exists amongst patients with pre-existing mild-moderate vs. severe PD. Methods: This was a single institution retrospective IRB approved study. We identified a cohort of patients between 2011-21 with PD and concurrent registration in independent dental and medical electronic health record systems at the University of Florida. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on severity of PD (mild-moderate or severe). Descriptive statistics were used to compare the 2 groups based on demographics and medical history. Cumulative incidence curves were used to compare GI malignancy incidence between the 2 groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of developing GI malignancies. Results: A total of 2168 patients with PD were identified with a median follow up of 4.7 (IQR 2.6-6.8) yr. Of these, 54% had severe PD and 46% had mild-moderate PD. Severe PD was more common within males (58% vs 50% in females), Black race (62% vs 52% in Caucasians), diabetics (59% vs 52% in non-diabetics), cigarette smokers (60% vs 51% in non-smokers) and excessive alcohol intake (70% vs 61% in moderate alcohol intake). There was no significant difference in cumulative incidence rates of GI malignancies (colon, pancreatic, gastric, hepatic, and esophageal) between the PD groups stratified by severity (12% in severe vs 11% in mild-moderate, p = 0.6 at 5 yr follow up). In univariable logistic regression, severe vs mild-moderate PD OR was 1.12 [95% CI: 0.87,1.46], thus more severe form of PD is not associated with developing a GI malignancy. In multivariable logistic regression, severe vs mild/moderate PD adjusted OR was 1.04 [95% CI: 0.79,1.36], thus also not statistically significant, with other risk factors of developing GI malignancies identified in Table 1. Conclusions: There was no association between the severity of periodontal disease and subsequent development of GI malignancy. [Table: see text]