Periodontal disease and susceptibility to breast cancer: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Abstract

Objective: While some individual studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and breast cancer, there has not been a formal meta-analysis that collates the existing evidence supporting the hypothesis that periodontal disease leads to a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Accordingly, this meta-analysis was conducted.

Methods: Relevant studies published until April 2018 were retrieved and were screened according to established inclusion criteria. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between periodontal disease and the risk of breast cancer and fixed effect models were used according to the results of the heterogeneity test.

Results: Eight studies, involving 168,111 individuals, were identified as having explored the association between periodontal disease and breast cancer. Summary estimates in view of adjusted data showed that periodontal disease did increase susceptibility to breast cancer (RR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.11-1.26, I² = 17.6%), with robust results confirmed by sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion: Our results provided evidence of a modest positive association between periodontal disease and breast cancer. Implementation of practical measures to prevent and treat periodontal disease is of great public health significance. Moreover, additional studies are recommended to explore this topic in more detail.

Keywords: breast cancer; cohort; meta-analysis; periodontal disease; periodontitis; risk factors.