Study IDs why hormone therapy is good for periodontitis

Vitamin D appears to be a factor in the positive effects hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have on periodontitis, according to a new study in the Journal of Periodontology (October 2, 2012).

"Possible synergism between female sex hormones and vitamin D on periodontitis pathology has not been assessed," wrote the study authors, from Malmö University, Lund University, Columbia University Medical Center, and the University of California, San Francisco.

To investigate the effects of estrogen, progesterone, and vitamin D on periodontitis, they conducted an epidemiological analysis using cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2001-2004. Their analysis included 1,230 women age 40-85 who received a periodontal examination, responded to questions regarding HRT, and provided a blood sample for serum vitamin D assessments.

They found that HRT use (versus none) was associated with higher attachment levels and more teeth only among vitamin D sufficient (> 20 ng/mL) participants. The odds ratio for having moderate/severe periodontitis among HRT versus non-HRT users was 0.69 among vitamin D sufficient participants and 1.19 in vitamin D deficient subjects.

"Maximal beneficial effects of HRT on periodontitis are associated with high vitamin D levels," the study authors concluded. "This effect is plausibly mediated via an anti-inflammatory transcriptional mechanism."