Association among menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and periodontal attachment loss in southern Brazilian women.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association among menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and periodontal attachment loss (PAL).

METHODS

Three hundred twenty-eight women (40 to 69 years old) who participated in a previous oral survey in South Brazil were included. Women who reported not having their monthly menstrual cycles for >or=12 months were classified as postmenopausal. Postmenopausal women were categorized according to HRT. Women with >or=30% teeth with PAL >or=5 mm were classified as having periodontitis. The data were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model and adjusted for age, smoking, socioeconomic status, and dental care.

RESULTS

The prevalence of periodontitis was significantly greater among postmenopausal women not using HRT (HRT-) than among premenopausal women (64.4% versus 46.3%; P = 0.005). Similarly, the multivariable analysis demonstrated a significantly higher chance of having periodontitis in postmenopausal HRT- women than in premenopausal women (odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1 to 4.0). In contrast, no significant differences were observed in the prevalence of periodontitis between postmenopausal women using HRT (HRT+) and premenopausal women (48.8% versus 46.3%; P = 0.77). After adjusting for cofactors, postmenopausal HRT+ women did not have a greater likelihood of having periodontitis than premenopausal women (OR, 1.2; 95% CI: 0.6 to 2.5). No significant differences in tooth loss were observed among the study groups after adjusting for confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Postmenopausal HRT- women had a greater chance of having periodontitis than premenopausal women. In contrast, postmenopausal HRT+ women and premenopausal women had similar periodontal status. HRT may have a beneficial effect on periodontal health.