Subgingival microbiota in overweight and obese young adults with no destructive periodontal disease.

Background: This study analyzed the levels of a specific group of periodontal health/disease-related oral bacteria in the subgingival biofilm of young adults with overweight (OW) and obesity (OB), and no destructive periodontal disease.

Methods: Full-mouth periodontal assessment and subgingival biofilm sampling were performed in individuals with normal weight (NW) (BMI [body mass index] ≥18.5 to ≤24.9 kg/m ; n = 29), OW (BMI ≥25 to ≤29.9 kg/m ; n = 26), or OB (BMI ≥30 kg/m ; n = 22). BMI, waist (WC) and hip (HC) circumferences, and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were established for every individual. Biofilm samples were analyzed by checkerboard. Spearman coefficient, linear, and logistic regression analyses were obtained.

Results: Gingivitis was detected in 45% NW, 65% OW, and 73% OB individuals. NW patients presented significantly less calculus and supragingival biofilm than OB. OW, and OB individuals had significantly higher levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia than NW patients (P <0.05). Treponema denticola correlated with BMI (rho = 0.31), WC (rho = 0.28), and HC (rho = 0.29), P≤0.01. Linear regression analysis showed significant (P <0.05) positive associations between BMI, WC, HC, and WHR indicators and Prevotella spp., Lactobacillus spp., V. parvula, and A. actinomycetemcomitans (Aa); negative associations were found between Capnocytophaga spp., WC, and HC (β = -0.29 and β = -0.37, respectively; P <0.01). However, the interaction of Prevotella spp. and T. forsythia decreased the likelihood of an individual to be diagnosed as OW/OB (OR 0.183 [95% CI, 0.062-0.540]).

Conclusions: Few periodontal pathogens differed in levels between NW and OW/OB individuals without destructive periodontal disease. Moreover, Aa, T. denticola, and Prevotella spp. were associated with clinical parameters of obesity.