Elevated leukocyte count is associated with periodontitis in Korean adults: The 2012-2014 KNHANES

Abstract

Objective

Both an elevated leukocyte count and periodontitis share well-recognized associations with cardiometabolic diseases. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify whether the leukocyte count is associated with periodontitis in a nationally-representative Korean adult population.

Materials and Methods

Data from 9,391 participants (3,659 males and 5,732 females) enrolled in 2012-2014 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Leukocyte quartiles were categorized as follows: 3000 ≤ Q1 ≤4870; 4880 ≤ Q2 ≤ 5790; 5800 ≤ Q3 ≤ 6840 and 6850 ≤ Q4≤ 10000 cells/μL. Periodontitis was defined as scoring greater than or equal to "code 3" in at least one site according to the WHO's Community Periodontal Index (CPI). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for periodontitis in each leukocyte count quartile were calculated using multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results

The prevalence of periodontitis was directly correlated with increasing leukocyte quartiles: 19%, 20.4%, 24.3%, and 30.3%. Compared with the lowest leukocyte quartile group, the OR (95% CI) for periodontitis of the highest leukocyte quartile was 1.558 (1.285-1.891) after controlling for confounding factors.

Conclusion

An elevated leukocyte count was positively associated with the presence of periodontitis.

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