Determination of Relationship between Chronic Periodontitis and Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Chronic periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the oral cavity that affects the supporting structures of the teeth. It leads to attachment loss, bone loss and further tooth loss. Recent researches have proven that it is associated with various systemic conditions affecting the body like diabetes, cardio vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, obesity and pre-term low birth weight babies. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of diseases that results in diabetes, stroke and cardio vascular disease. So in view of the above facts the present study was designed to determine the relationship between chronic periodontitis and metabolic syndrome.

Objective: The objectives of the study were

To compare the periodontal status of metabolic syndrome patients with general healthy individuals
To determine whether the periodontal status was consistent with the values of the metabolic components.
Methods: A total of ninety patients participated in this study. Group one consisted of forty-five patients who were confirmed to have metabolic syndrome and group two consisted of forty-five age and sex matched healthy controls. Plaque index, Gingival Bleeding Index (Ainamo & Bay), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CEJ), total number of missing teeth and the reasons for extraction were also noted. Medical examination and blood investigations included measurement of height, weight, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, Body-Mass Index (BMI), serum lipid profile, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP ATP III definition. The results obtained were analysed statistically using SYSTAT html output.

Results: The results of the present study showed that the periodontal condition of group one patients were poor compared to group two patients. The periodontal conditioned worsened with an increase in the metabolic components.

Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, it can be concluded that that periodontitis and metabolic syndrome were confounding the systemic effects of each other. Dentists should counsel their patients regarding the health hazards of metabolic syndrome and periodontitis and motivate them to maintain good oral hygiene and follow healthy life-style.