Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between periodontal disease and the general health status in community-dwelling elderly using the serum albumin concentration as a criterion index of the severity of underlying disease and nutrition.
Material and Methods: Six hundred subjects aged 70 years underwent a baseline examination. Dental examinations were carried out at baseline and once a year for 4 years. Periodontal conditions were estimated for subjects with at least one remaining tooth. Clinical attachment levels at six sites of all teeth present were measured. A change in loss of attachment of 3 mm or greater in 1 year at each site was defined as periodontal disease progression. Data were analysed in subjects for whom data were available for 4 years.
Results: Serum albumin concentration at baseline ranged from 3.4 to 5.0 g/dl with a mean of 4.3 +/- 0.2. When the analysis was stratified by smoking status, we found that serum albumin concentration had a significant effect on periodontal disease progression among non-smokers (standardized regression coefficient=-0.16; p=0.017), using multiple regression analysis.
Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that serum albumin concentration is a significant risk predictor of periodontal disease progression among elderly non-smokers.