Understanding the consequences of educational inequalities on periodontitis: A Mendelian randomization study

Aim Higher educational attainment is associated with a lower risk of periodontitis, but the extent to which this association is causal and mediated by intermediate factors is unclear. Materials and Methods Using summary data from genetic association studies from up to 1.1 million participants of European descent, univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses were performed to infer the total effect of educational attainment on periodontitis and to estimate the degree to which income, smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index mediate the association. Results The odds ratio of periodontitis per 1 standard deviation increment in genetically predicted education was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.68-0.89). The proportions mediated of the total effect of genetically predicted education on periodontitis were 64%, 35%, 15%, and 46% for income, smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index, respectively. Conclusions Using a genetic instrumental variable approach, this study triangulated evidence from existing observational epidemiological studies and suggested that higher educational attainment lowers periodontitis risk. Measures to reduce the burden of educational disparities in periodontitis risk may tackle downstream risk factors, particularly income, smoking, and obesity.

Automated summary

Higher educational attainment is associated with a lower risk of periodontitis, and this association is partly mediated by income, smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index. Reducing educational disparities in periodontitis risk may involve addressing downstream risk factors such as income, smoking, and obesity.