Risk correlates of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and periodontal diseases: a cross-sectional study in India

Background: Quantifying shared risk factors among periodontal disease (PD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes (DM2) can bolster Common Risk Factor Approach (CRFA), enabling integration of PD prevention into non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention strategies. The objective of the study is to assess extent of overlap of shared risk factors between CVD, DM2, PD. Materials and methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care medical and dental teaching hospital in South India, from July 2022 to April 2024. Study included 600 participants (ages 18–75) divided into three groups: Group A: DM2, CVD, or both and PD; Group B: DM2 or CVD; and Group C: PD alone. Various demographic, metabolic, habit related, dietary and periodontal disease severity related risk factors were evaluated in the study. Results: Among 600 participants, 55.5% were male, 58.8% were under 50 years. Statistically significant odds ratios (ORs) for shared risk factors between Group A and Group B were observed for age > 50 (0.58), sedentary lifestyle (0.43), fat intake > 41 g/d (1.87), HbA1C ≥ 6.5% (0.56), FBS > 126 mg/dL (2.35) and family history of NCDs (9.8). For Group A versus Group C, statistically significant ORs were seen for age > 50 (0.55), HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% (0.34), triglycerides > 150 mg/dL (0.04), education (0.52), alcohol use (1.53) and poor oral hygiene (3.01). Severity of periodontal disease assessed using PSR, HbA1c, triglycerides, fat intake, age, education, obesity were identified as vital shared risk factors. Conclusion and relevance: Age, education, obesity, PSR, HbA1c, triglycerides emerged as significant shared risk factors. Integrating these factors into surveillance tools may enhance NCD and PD risk identification, supporting CRFA-based healthcare approach. Trial registration: CTRI/ 2022/06/043279 registered on 15th of June 2022.