Talks
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 5)
Faculty
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Periodontal disease, characterized by inflammation and damage to connective tissue due to biofilm accumulation and an inflammatory response, affects 20–50% of the global population. While some studies suggest a link between periodontal disease and cognitive decline, the role of vitamin D in this relationship remains underexplored. Given vitamin D’s involvement in immune modulation, bone remodeling, and possibly cognition, we hypothesize that higher serum 25(OH)D3 levels are associated with reduced periodontal damage and better cognitive performance in older adults.
Methods: We analyzed data from 905 participants (50% female), aged ≥60 years, in the NHANES 2011– 2012 cycle with complete periodontal and cognitive data. Linear regression models examined associations of Clinical attachment loss (CAL) with sex, age, diabetes, serum creatinine, 25(OH)D3, and BMI. Cognitive function was assessed using aggregate scores from CERAD recall, animal fluency, and digit-symbol tests. The percent change in outcomes was calculated as (e^β – 1) × 100 from multiple linear regression.
Results: The median age was 67 [Q1: 63, Q3: 74]; 53% had college education; 20% were Hispanic. Median CAL was 1.9 mm [1.4, 2.8]. CAL increased 15% with diabetes (p< 0.001) but decreased by 21% in females (p< 0.001), 1% per BMI unit (p=0.001), and 8% per 10 ng/mL increase in 25(OH)D3 (p< 0.001). CAL was found to be inversely proportional to adjusted memory recall. No significant association was found between cognitive test scores and CAL, but cognitive test scores were positively associated with 25(OH)D3.
Conclusions: Higher serum 25(OH)D3 levels independently reduced periodontal damage and better cognitive performance, and a direct link was observed between periodontal status and memory recall. These findings suggest that vitamin D may play a role in maintaining oral and cognitive health in older adults. Targeted screening and supplementation may be especially beneficial in populations at risk for vitamin D deficiency or diabetes.
Presentation Type
Talk
Recommended Citation
Cauba, John Nicholas; Al-Hassan, Noah; Al-Hassan, Taha; Korrapati, Krishi; Quiniones, Maria; Guadarrama, Seratna; and Lopez-Alvarenga, Juan, "Role of Vitamin D in Periodontal Integrity and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults: A NHANES 2011 Study" (2025). Research Colloquium. 4.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2025/talks/4
Included in
Role of Vitamin D in Periodontal Integrity and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults: A NHANES 2011 Study
Background: Periodontal disease, characterized by inflammation and damage to connective tissue due to biofilm accumulation and an inflammatory response, affects 20–50% of the global population. While some studies suggest a link between periodontal disease and cognitive decline, the role of vitamin D in this relationship remains underexplored. Given vitamin D’s involvement in immune modulation, bone remodeling, and possibly cognition, we hypothesize that higher serum 25(OH)D3 levels are associated with reduced periodontal damage and better cognitive performance in older adults.
Methods: We analyzed data from 905 participants (50% female), aged ≥60 years, in the NHANES 2011– 2012 cycle with complete periodontal and cognitive data. Linear regression models examined associations of Clinical attachment loss (CAL) with sex, age, diabetes, serum creatinine, 25(OH)D3, and BMI. Cognitive function was assessed using aggregate scores from CERAD recall, animal fluency, and digit-symbol tests. The percent change in outcomes was calculated as (e^β – 1) × 100 from multiple linear regression.
Results: The median age was 67 [Q1: 63, Q3: 74]; 53% had college education; 20% were Hispanic. Median CAL was 1.9 mm [1.4, 2.8]. CAL increased 15% with diabetes (p< 0.001) but decreased by 21% in females (p< 0.001), 1% per BMI unit (p=0.001), and 8% per 10 ng/mL increase in 25(OH)D3 (p< 0.001). CAL was found to be inversely proportional to adjusted memory recall. No significant association was found between cognitive test scores and CAL, but cognitive test scores were positively associated with 25(OH)D3.
Conclusions: Higher serum 25(OH)D3 levels independently reduced periodontal damage and better cognitive performance, and a direct link was observed between periodontal status and memory recall. These findings suggest that vitamin D may play a role in maintaining oral and cognitive health in older adults. Targeted screening and supplementation may be especially beneficial in populations at risk for vitamin D deficiency or diabetes.
