The relationship of nutritional status, body and mandibular bone mineral density, tooth loss and fracture risk (FRAX) in pre-and postmenopausal women with periodontitis]

Introduction: During menopause there is weight gain and a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) that has been related with periodontal disease (incidence between 5-30%); therefore, it is essential to assess the risk factors related with anthropometry and BMD. Objective: To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI), skeletal composition, waist circumference, tooth loss, fracture risk, BMD of the spine, hip, femur, and mandible in pre and post-menopausal women with periodontitis. Subjects and methodology: We studied 60 women aged 35-60 years, divided in 4 groups (n = 15): Control group: premenopausal women without periodontitis; Experimental group 1: premenopausal women with periodontitis; Experimental group 2: postmenopausal women without periodontitis; and Experimental group 3: postmenopausal women with periodontitis. Periodontitis was diagnosed by means of a computerized digital periodontal probe; BMD of the mandible by means of digital radiograph with X ray conversion, the number of teeth by digital panoramic radiograph. We measured: BMI, skeletal composition, waist circumference, risk fracture by the FRAX questionnaire. Results: The variables with a negative correlation with periodontitis were: weight, BMI, and BMD of the mandible with risk fracture (p < 0.05). The group that showed differences (ANOVA) was EG3: with older age, lower height, lower BMD of the mandible, and lower number of teeth (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Periodontitis in the presence of menopause is related with older age, lower height, low BMD of the mandible, and lower mayor number of teeth. Higher fracture risk is associated with low weight and BMI and low BMD of the mandible.