The albumin-globulin ratio is associated with periodontitis in American adults: results from the NHANES 2009-2014.

It's not clear whether periodontitis and the albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) are related. This study intended to determine the association between AGR and periodontitis using the NHANES database. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2009 to 2014 were used in this investigation. The dependent variable was periodontitis, the independent variable was AGR, and the 2012 Eke criteria were used to classify periodontitis. The association between AGR and periodontitis was examined using a multivariate logistic regression model. A total of 9134 participants were included in this study, which was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and showed a significant negative association between AGR and periodontitis (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.47-0.67, p < 0.0001). Delineation of AGR into quartiles showed that this result persisted. In addition, a threshold nonlinear association between AGR and periodontitis was found, with AGR considered a protective factor at AGR < 1.79 (OR = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.33-0.54, p < 0.0001). This cross-sectional investigation revealed a possible negative correlation between AGR and periodontitis, suggesting that AGR may be a potential biomarker for periodontitis screening and prevention. Future research employing causal methods and longitudinal designs is required to confirm our observations.