Association of periodontitis and human papillomavirus in oral rinse specimens: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2009-2012

Abstract Background Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas are increasing in incidence and are becoming significant public health concerns. Periodontitis is a chronic condition in which the affected tissue may facilitate oral HPV infection and persistence. The purpose of this study was to determine if an association of the presence of HPV in oral rinse specimens and periodontal disease exists. Methods The authors combined the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for years 2009-2010 and 2011-2012. The authors included participants aged 30-69 years who had clinically assessed periodontal and HPV data (n = 6,004). The authors analyzed the data using the Rao-Scott χ² test and logistic regression. Results There were 498 participants who had the presence of HPV in oral rinse specimens. The adjusted odds ratio for the presence of HPV in oral rinse specimens with relation to periodontal disease was 1.04 (95% confidence interval, 0.63-1.73), adjusting for sex, race and ethnicity, education, age, income-to-poverty ratio, smoking, alcohol use, and number of sex partners during their lifetime. Conclusions The authors failed to reject the hypothesis of no association of the presence of HPV in oral rinse specimens and periodontitis. Practical Implications Although oral HPV infection is a serious concern, the authors found that periodontitis was not shown to be related to the presence of HPV in oral rinse specimens in adjusted analyses in this study.