Relationship between periodontal status and intellectual function among community-dwelling elderly persons

Objective: The aim of this study was to indicate the relationship between periodontal status and intellectual function in the elderly. Background: Periodontal status has been shown to be related to demographic, socioeconomic, and psychological status. Intellectual function is a significant indicator of health status. Nevertheless, the relationship between periodontal status and intellectual function has not been elucidated in detail among the elderly. Materials and Methods: A total of 152 community-dwelling elderly persons, aged 70-74 years, were enrolled in the study. Periodontal status was evaluated using the WHO Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). Intellectual function was assessed by four neuropsychological tests: Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test, the Verbal Paired Associates 1 (VerPA) task and the Visual Paired Associates 1 (VirPA) task, extracted from the Wechsler Memory Scale Revised Edition, and the Block Design subtest, extracted from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, Third Edition. Correlations between CPITN and each test were examined using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. The ordinal regression model was constructed with CPITN as the dependent variable and neuropsychological test as the principal independent variable to adjust for demographic factors, general health, lifestyle and oral health behaviour. Results: Significant correlations were found between the RCPM test, the VerPA task, the Visual Paired Associates 1 and CPITN. In the ordinal regression model, CPITN was significantly related to measures of RCPM after adjusting for demographic factors, general health status, lifestyle and oral health behaviour. Conclusion: Intellectual function is considered a significant indicator of periodontal status among community-dwelling elderly persons.