Periodontal infection, impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance: results from the Continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2010

Aim We investigated the relationship between periodontal disease, a clinical manifestation of periodontal infection, and pre‐diabetes. Methods The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009–2010 enrolled 1165 diabetes‐free adults (51% female) aged 30–80 years (mean ±  SD =50 ± 14) who received a full‐mouth periodontal examination and an oral glucose tolerance test. Participants were classified as having none/mild, moderate or severe periodontitis and also according to mean probing depth ≥2.19 mm or attachment loss ≥1.78 mm, (respective 75th percentiles). Pre‐diabetes was defined according to ADA criteria as either: (i) impaired fasting glucose ( IFG ) or impaired glucose tolerance ( IGT ). In multivariable logistic regression models, the odds of IFG and IGT were regressed on levels of periodontitis category. Results The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for having IGT among participants with moderate or severe periodontitis, relative to participants with none/mild periodontitis were 1.07 [0.50, 2.25] and 1.93 [1.18, 3.17], p  =   0.02. The OR s for having IFG were 1.14 [0.74, 1.77] and 1.12 [0.58, 2.18], p  =   0.84. PD ≥75th percentile was related to a 105% increase in the odds of IGT : OR [95% CI ] = 2.05 [1.24, 3.39], p  =   0.005. Conclusions Periodontal infection was positively associated with prevalent impaired glucose tolerance in a cross‐sectional study among a nationally representative sample.