Naoji Hayashi

Association of ALDH2 Genotypes and Alcohol Consumption with Periodontitis

There is little information regarding the association between alcohol consumption and periodontitis risk. We assessed whether alcohol consumption and ALDH2 genotypes were associated with periodontitis. Subjects’ lifestyle was examined by a self-administered questionnaire, and the percentage of pocket depths ≥ 3.5 mm was used as a periodontal parameter. ALDH2 genotypes were determined with the use of a PCR/RFLP method. Multiple logistic analyses showed that alcohol consumption was significantly associated with periodontitis, and its odds ratio was 1.98. There was no significant relationship between periodontal status and ALDH2 genotypes. However, ALDH2*1/*2 subjects who consumed ≥ 33 g/day of alcohol had a significantly greater percentage of pocket depths ≥ 3.5 mm than those whose daily consumption was lower, while there was no significant difference in periodontal status associated with alcohol consumption in ALDH2*1/*1 subjects. Our results suggest that alcohol consumption may be a risk indicator for periodontitis in ALDH2*1/*2 subjects who consume larger amounts of alcohol.

Association of Tooth Loss with Psychosocial Factors in Male Japanese Employees

Association of Tooth Loss with Psychosocial Factors in Male Japanese Employees: Naoji Hayashi, et al. Department of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University—It would seem that good psychosocial conditions would have a positive effect on oral health, but few data exist regarding the association of psychosocial factors with tooth loss. The association between psychosocial factors and tooth loss was studied in male industrial workers in Japan. In an annual health checkup, tooth loss status was assessed by oral examination in 252 workers (age 2059 yr). Information pertaining to psychosocial factors, lifestyle and oral health behavior was also obtained through a self‐administered questionnaire. The mean tooth loss per worker showed a significant increasing trend with age. Mean tooth loss was 0.32 in the 20‐29‐yr‐old group, 0.82 in the 30‐39‐yr‐old group, 1.28 in the 40‐49‐yr‐old group and 2.91 in the 50‐59‐yr‐old group. Bivariate analyses revealed that age (P<0.01) and alexithymia (P<0.05) were significantly associated with tooth loss. In contrast, work stress, depression, type A behavior, job‐ and life‐satisfaction were not significantly associated with tooth loss. In multivariate analyses, the associations of age (P<0.02) and alexithymia (P<0.05) remained statistically significant after adjustment for oral health behavior and lifestyle variables. We suggest that an alexithymic personality may affect tooth loss status in male employees.