Investigating the potential clinical impact of periodontitis on the progression of Alzheimer's disease: a prospective cohort study.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of periodontitis and current occlusal relationship on the progression rate of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ninety Alzheimer's patients, who were divided into three groups as Stage I (n=42), Stage II (n=29), and Stage III (n=19), based on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, were included in the study. Cognitive status of the patients was evaluated with Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT) at baseline and repeated 6 months later. Clinical periodontal examinations were recorded and occlusal relationship status was classified according to the Eichner Index. Of 90 Alzheimer's patients, 65 were toothed individuals with periodontitis and 25 were edentulous individuals without active periodontal disease. Stage II and Stage III toothed Alzheimer's patients had higher percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP%) and clinical attachment level (CAL) values than Stage I patients (p<0.05). Stage III Alzheimer's patients had significantly higher probing pocket depth (PPD) values than Stage I individuals (p<0.05). ΔSMMT values showed positive correlation with BOP% (r=0.308, p=0.013) and PPD (r=0.275, p=0.027). Among the evaluated parameters, being in the AD Stage II-Stage III, having periodontitis and age variable had significant effects on ΔSMMT levels (p<0.05). Within the limits of our study, it can be concluded that periodontitis may increase the severity and also accelerate the progression rate of AD. These results are precious to show the necessity of proper oral hygiene activities and regular dental visits in patients with toothed AD. This study was registered and approved by clinical trials (NCT05807100).