TITLE:
Effect of Tooth Loss on Blood Pressure in Congolese Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Elias Lubadi Tshilumba, Augustin Mantshumba Milolo, Pierrot Kumpanya Ntumba, Fidele Nyimi Bushabu, Grace Paka Lubamba, David Kayembe Mwimbi, Em Kalala Kazadi, Pierre Muyembi Muinaninayi, Grevisse Bindele Ndombolo, Dany Kanyana Makolo, Simplot Tubanza Mulongo, Gabriel Bile Bopili, Junior Panoumvita Kapomona, Fifi Balepukayi Mpiana, Monique Nsudila Mpoyi, Pamela Lubula, Dorcas Kilesa Nkanga, Jean Marie Kayembe Bukama, Jean Jacques Malemba Kabasele, Jean Rene M’buyamba Kabangu, Oral Health Section Working Team
KEYWORDS:
Tooth Loss, Blood Pressure, Public Health, Hypertension, Congolese Population
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Stomatology,
Vol.15 No.2,
February
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Tooth loss results in impaired mastication, which in turn, makes it difficult to chew hard food, consequently leading to deteriorate dietary habits and to develop hypertension. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of tooth loss on blood pressure among Congolese population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 until December 2023 among Congolese population aged at least 30 years reporting to the living in DR Congo. All participants were enrolled from Dental Clinic located in the DR Congo. To be eligible to participate in the study, were the willing to participate and having signed informed consent; had a missing tooth; had carried out blood pressure measurement (hypertension/normotensive). The exclusion criteria were determined: being less than 30 years old, being pregnant for women considering the risk of existing gestational hypertension, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and diabetes. Hypertension was defined as the mean of three measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (140 mmHg or higher), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (90 mm or higher) or physician diagnosed hypertension confirmed from medical records. We determined the number of tooth loss from oral examination. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to investigate the effect of tooth loss on blood pressure. Results: In all, 25,396 participants were enrolled among Congolese population for this study. After oral examination, 13,421 were excluded for no tooth loss and 11,975 participants were selected. The average number of tooth loss among study population was 11.06. Among the participants with hypertension had lost an average of 11 teeth, significantly higher than those without hypertension (6.09) (p = 0.001). After adjusting for covariates (socio-demographic characteristics), tooth loss (>10) was significantly associated with hypertension, with OR = 1.32 (95% CI 1.073 - 2.38). Conclusion: Tooth loss maybe associated with severe hypertension among Congolese population adults. Prevention of tooth loss is very important to the overall health of this population.