Increased risk of mild cognitive impairment is associated with severe periodontitis: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to explore the association of severe periodontitis (SP) in middle‐aged patients with cognitive dysfunction. Methods Patients with periodontitis were referred to a periodontal examination and underwent neuropsychological testing. We evaluated plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BoP), periodontal probing depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment level (CAL), dental hard tissues, basic medical history data and oral hygiene habits and oral health‐related quality of life. A neuropsychological assessment was performed using a battery of 6 tests—Five Words Test (WORDS), Trail Making Test A and B (TMT A and B), Digit Span and Reverse (SPAN and REV), Attention Matrices Test (ATT), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) to estimate short‐term, long‐term and working memory, visual‐spatial orientation, mental flexibility, and psychomotor speed. Results In total, we included 102 participants, 71 with SP and 31 with mild and moderate periodontitis (MP). Increased age, male sex, lower number of teeth and higher Decayed, Missing and Filled permanent Teeth index (DMFT) were more prevalent among SP than MP group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower cognitive performance (lower Symbol Digit Modalities Test score) was associated with greater odds of SP (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77, confidence interval [CI] = 0.64–0.93, p = 0.005) indicating the risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In other words, the odds for MCI among patients with SP were 1.29‐fold compared to those with MP. Conclusion Within the study's limitations, our findings indicate that although MCI was not diagnosed, the risk for MCI was associated with SP in middle‐aged patients. Plain Language Summary This study looked at whether middle‐aged people with severe gum disease (periodontitis) are more likely to have problems with thinking and memory. Researchers worked with 102 patients, some with severe gum disease and others with milder forms. Each participant had their teeth and gums examined and completed tests that measured memory, attention span, and how quickly they could think and react. The results showed that those with more severe gum disease tended to have worse results on a key test, suggesting a link between gum health and brain function. In fact, people with severe gum disease had a higher chance of displaying symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, a condition that can lead to memory loss and dementia over time. These findings suggest that keeping gums healthy may be important not just for oral health, but also for protecting brain health as we age.