Study: Association between Obesity and Chronic Periodontitis

Chronic periodontitis is multi-factorial and numerous risk factors have been identified to contribute in the disease progression. This current study attempted to conduct a cross-sectional investigation in a population of patients with cardiovascular diseases in order to correlate the association between obesity [body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)] and periodontal disease parameters.

The study was of a cross-sectional design and a total of 201 patients were examined after obtaining their informed consent. Subjects who had a history of cardiovascular diseases and under treatment were included in the study. Two indicators of obesity were used: BMI and WC. The following periodontal parameters were assessed: Probing depth, clinical attachment level. The oral hygiene status of the subjects was assessed by the oral hygiene index (OHI). The influence of the BMI and other confounding variables on periodontitis severity was assessed using appropriate statistical analysis.

Significant association was seen with low density lipoproteins (LDL) and severity of periodontitis, triglyceride levels (TGL) and severity of periodontitis, cholesterol and severity of periodontitis, BMI and severity of periodontitis, OHI and severity of periodontitis. Significant association was seen with smoking and severity of periodontitis, BMI and severity of periodontitis, WC and severity of periodontitis, cholesterol and severity of periodontitis, OHI and severity of periodontitis.

The authors concluded that obesity has been implicated as a risk factor for several conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc. In this study the relation between measures of overall and abdominal obesity (BMI and WC) and periodontal disease showed significant association. The authors concluded that obesity can act as a significant risk factor in progression of periodontitis.

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Lloyd E. Parmley, D.M.D. 
A Practice Limited to Periodontics • Implants • Gum Diseases
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