"Gram-negative periodontal infections are significantly associated with insulin resistance in non-diabetics," Grossi said. "We know that when diabetics have an acute infection, their diabetes goes out of control. Gram-negative bacteria produce a very potent toxin called LPS, which probably interferes with the action of insulin and is responsible for maintaining a chronic state of insulin resistance in people with gum infections," she said.

The study on the relationship between periodontal infection and chronic lung disease was designed to follow up earlier reports of a link between poor oral hygiene, gum disease and chronic lung disease, also using data from NHANES III.

Frank Scannapieco, D.M.D, Ph.D., assistant professor of oral biology, analyzed data from 13,792 adults concerning the incidence of pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and/or emphysema and the condition of their oral health, using degree of gum detachment from bone as an indicator.

Results showed that persons with chronic lung conditions had more gum detachment than those with no lung disease, after correction for age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, income, frequency of dental visits, smoking and alcohol consumption.

There also was a direct correlation between the amount of detachment and lung-disease risk. Subjects with gum detachment that exceeded 2 mm had a 40 percent greater risk of developing lung disease than those with attachment loss of less than 2 mm, results showed.

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Contact: Lois Baker
ljbaker@buffalo.edu
716-645-2626
University at Buffalo
13-Mar-1999