Residual Dental Number is Associated with Helicobacter pylori Infection in Japanese Healthy Male Adults

Abstract

Purpose: The association between H. pylori infection and residual dental number has been examined in some Western populations. Gastric acid reflux has also been associated with dental erosions. In Japan, prevalence of H. pylori infection is higher among developed countries and severe atrophic gastritis is often seen in Japanese patients with H. pylori infection. In such patients, gastric acid secretion is reduced and it would be associated with reduced acid reflux. We examined whether H. pylori infection is associated with residual dental number in healthy adult subjects. Methods: 959 healthy adults (362 males and 597 females, 20 - 82 years old) who attended mass survey Iwaki Health Promotion Project in 2005 were enrolled into the study. We counted residual dental number and measured both H. pylori stool antigen and serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies. H. pylori status was defined as positive or negative when the results of both tests were concordant. Subjects were excluded if the results of two tests were discordant. Subjects taking PPI were also excluded. We analyzed using logistic regression models, adjusting for confounding factors, such as age, BMI, smoking, alcohol, and educational background. Results:H. pylori infection was positive in 53.1% of the subjects. In male subjects, residual dental number was significantly associated with H. pylori infection adjusted by age (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.07-5.66, p<0.05). Significant association was also found between H. pylori infection and remaining more than 20 teeth even after adjusting age, BMI, smoking, alcohol, and educational background (OR 2.75, 95% CI: 1.07-7.08, p<0.05). In contrast, no significant association was observed in female subjects. Conclusion:H. pylori infection would be associated with the decrease in tooth loss in male adults in a Japanese population which has a high incidence of atrophic gastritis. Disclosure: Dr. Shimoyama - a Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (23659342). Dr. Nakaji - a Grantin-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (18200044-00).