Relationship between periodontal disease and cirrhosis of the liver in humans

The periodontal condition of a well-described group of cirrhotic patients was compared with that of a control group, matched for age, sex ratio and socio-economic background, expressed as years of education. The test group comprised 30 cirrhotic patients, 35-64 years of age. The diagnosis cirrhosis of the liver was confirmed histologically, and no other systemic diseases were present. The material was grouped according to age, 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 years of age. The examination included determination of tooth loss, a plaque index, a gingival index, retentive calculus, retentive decay and fillings, and loss of attachment. The amount of plaque was equal in test and control groups, whereas the cirrhotics had a higher degree of severity of gingival inflammation as well as a greater amount of subgingival calculus than the controls. Test and control groups exhibited no significant difference as regards loss of attachment and tooth loss, and similar correlations between loss of attachment and age were demonstrated in the two groups. Patients suffering from cirrhosis for more than 3 years showed significantly greater loss of attachment, as well as more plaque and calculus compared with those with a disease duration of less than 3 years. It is suggested that this aggravation of the periodontal condition is related to increasing neglect of the teeth, as the cirrhotic condition aggravates.