High prevalence of periodontitis in non-elderly obese Japanese adults

SummaryObjectivesSeveral recent reports have indicated a high prevalence of periodontitis in obese subjects, but the results have not been consistent. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of periodontitis in non-elderly obese Japanese adults and to explore the relationship between obesity and periodontitis.MethodsNinety-five obese subjects (BMI ≥ 25; males: 44, females: 51) and 102 subjects with normal weight (BMI 18.5–25; males: 66, females: 36) were enrolled from April 1997 to March 1999 in the study. All subjects were aged 25–40 years old. The status of periodontitis was evaluated based on the intraoral community periodontal index (CPI) codes of the WHO, and the numbers of present teeth, untreated decayed teeth, missing teeth, and filled teeth were also examined.ResultsThe prevalence of periodontitis was significantly higher in obese subjects, and particularly in females, compared to controls, whereas the numbers of present teeth, decayed teeth, missing teeth and filled teeth did not differ significantly between the obese subjects and the controls for both males and females. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that obesity was significantly related to periodontitis.ConclusionA high prevalence of periodontitis was found in non-elderly Japanese obese subjects, and particularly in obese female adults. Correlation analysis also suggested that obesity carries a high risk for development of periodontitis.