Relationship Between Obesity and Periodontal Disease

Detailed Summary

Obesity is an epidemic with increasing prevalence in the Asia Pacific region. The first Malaysian national estimate in 1996 of obesity was 5.8%. A systematic review reported a marked increase in obesity in 2003, 2004 and 2006 with 12.2%, 12.3% and 14.0% respectively. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease which results in gingival inflammation, irreversible attachment loss, alveolar bone destruction and eventually tooth loss. Worldwide, the prevalence of periodontitis in the adult population is about 10-15%. Periodontal disease, through inflammation and destruction of the periodontium produces clinical signs and symptoms, some of which may have a considerable impact on quality of life (QoL). A positive association between obesity and periodontal disease was repeatedly demonstrated worldwide. Obese individuals have elevated levels of circulating TNF- α and IL-6 compared to normal weight individuals. These cytokines decrease after weight loss. Adipokines produced by adipose tissue could be one of the mechanisms mediating the association between obesity and periodontal disease. This suggests that obesity may have the potential to modify the host's immunity and inflammatory system. This project will extend the existing information on the association between obesity and periodontal disease including QoL aspect to a Malaysia population. It will also improve knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underpin obesity-periodontal disease relationship. By extension, this study also will cast light on the effects of periodontal interventions for the subgroup population.

Study Details

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Interventions