Longitudinal evaluation of periodontitis and development of cognitive decline among older adults

To determine whether having periodontitis is associated with cognitive decline among older adults.A prospective population study of older adults, Swedish National Study on Ageing and Care, (SNAC) provided repeated registrations of cognitive functions. Cognitive decline was defined as ≥3-points deterioration from a predetermined level at baseline, using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Between 2001 and 2003, 715 individuals had a medical as well as a clinical and radiographic dental examination. The individuals were re-examined after 6 years. Periodontitis was defined as ≥4 mm bone loss at ≥30% of tooth sites. Social variables were captured from questionnaires.The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association between prevalence of periodontitis and cognitive decline after adjustments of confounding factors of importance.A history of periodontitis may be of importance for cognitive functions among older adults.