January 2013

Background: Metabolic syndrome, the whole of interconnected factors, presents with local manifestation, such as periodontitis, related by a common factor known as oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease in an Indian population. Methods: Clinical criteria for metabolic syndrome included: 1) abdominal obesity; 2) increased triglycerides; 3) decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; 4) hypertension or current use of hypertension medication; and 5) high fasting plasma glucose. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were also measured. Periodontal parameters including gingival index (GI), average and deepest probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded on randomly selected quadrants, one maxillary and one mandibular. Based on the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome, individuals were divided into two groups. Results: The periodontal parameters PD, CAL and GI differed significantly between the two groups. The GI values in Group 1 (2.06 ± 0.57) were greater than in Group 2 (1.79 ± 0.66; p = 0.0025). Similarly PD and CAL values in Group 1 (4.58 ± 1.69 and 2.63 ± 1.61 mm) were significantly greater (p < 0.001) than in Group 2 (3.59 ± 1.61 and 1.61 ± 1.40 mm, respectively). Also, three metabolic components and serum CRP correlated with average PD, and the strength of the correlation was medium in Group 1 as compared to Group 2, in which it was weak. Conclusion: The association between metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease was significant, and abdominal obesity appeared to be the most important contributing metabolic factor to periodontal disease