Association of Down syndrome with periodontal diseases: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational/case-control studies
PubMed 37341556 · doi:10.1111/scd.12892
What was done
Two independent reviewers systematically searched six databases up to January 2023 for studies comparing gingivitis or periodontitis in people with Down syndrome versus controls without Down syndrome. Across 26 included studies, the authors conducted meta-analyses, risk of bias assessments, sensitivity analyses, publication bias assessments, and evidence certainty grading.
What was found
- Periodontitis was significantly associated with Down syndrome (OR 3.93; 95% CI: 1.81 to 8.53; 11 studies). - Probing depth was significantly greater in individuals with Down syndrome compared to controls (mean difference 0.40 mm; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.70 mm). - Gingivitis was significantly associated with Down syndrome (OR 1.93; 95% CI: 1.09 to 3.41; 4 studies). - Included studies also showed qualitative tendencies toward greater plaque accumulation, periodontal attachment loss, and bleeding on probing in Down syndrome. - Overall evidence certainty was graded as moderate.
Why it matters
This review confirms a substantially elevated risk of both gingivitis and periodontitis in individuals with Down syndrome, emphasizing the need for structured, early oral hygiene interventions and frequent periodontal monitoring in this population.
Limits
The underlying evidence base consists of medium- and low-quality observational studies. The abstract does not report total participant counts across the 26 studies, nor does it detail adjustments for key confounders such as age, oral hygiene practices, or institutionalization.
Cited by
- supports Individuals with Down syndrome are frequently rendered edentulous by their 30s.