Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mortality due to various non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, is increasing globally. Studies have reported that periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disorder caused by oral pathogens, is a potential risk factor for hypertension. These pathogens can invade arterial walls, leading to vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which then increases the likelihood of developing hypertension. However, evidence of the association between periodontitis and hypertension remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine whether periodontitis is associated with hypertension among adults in Rwanda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 420 participants (hypertensive and non-hypertensive) at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) and Ruhengeri Hospital in Rwanda. Periodontitis was assessed using clinical parameters: clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BoP), and periodontal pocket depth (PDD). Hypertension was defined as a patient with a systolic or diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) of ≥140/90 mmHg. Descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and logistical regression were performed using SPSS version 29 for statistical data analysis. Results: The prevalence of periodontitis was found to be 69.5% among hypertensive patients and 52.4% among non-hypertensive patients. Clinical attachment loss was 6.24 times (AOR = 6.24, 95% CI: 1.99-19.56) higher among hypertensive patients and the difference was significant (p = 0.001). Other periodontal parameters such as periodontal pocket depth and bleeding on probing showed a more significant association among hypertensive than non-hypertensive patients. Conclusions: Our study found a significant association between periodontitis and hypertension in Rwandan adults. However, further intervention studies are needed to explore causality and potential interventions.