Dental Caries, Dental Plaque, Inflammation Biomarkers, Pediatric Obesity, Periodontal Disease
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate whether obesity affects oral and gum health in children and adolescents. A total of 75 children aged 8 to 13 years participated, including both obese and non-obese individuals. All participants received a dental examination, and samples of saliva, blood, and gum fluid were collected to measure specific inflammation-related substances (such as IL-1α, IL-1β, and leptin). The presence of specific bacteria in the mouth was also analyzed.
Detailed description
This cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate the relationship between pediatric obesity and periodontal health by integrating clinical, biochemical, and microbiological assessments. A total of 75 adolescents (36 obese and 39 non-obese), aged 8-13 years, were enrolled. Clinical oral evaluations included dft, DMFT, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing depth (PD). Blood, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected for ELISA-based measurement of pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1α, IL-1β, and leptin). Subgingival plaque samples were analyzed using real-time PCR to quantify six key periodontal pathogens.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Marmara University
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 13 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Children aged between 8 and 13 years Parental consent obtained No systemic diseases other than obesity No current medication use
Exclusion criteria
Use of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs in the past 3 months History of systemic disease (other than obesity for the obese group) Undergoing orthodontic treatment Missing permanent first molars Uncooperative behavior during examination
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Salivary IL-1α Levels | At baseline (single time point, during sample collection visit) | This outcome measures the concentration of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) in unstimulated saliva and compares levels between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: pg/mL |
| Salivary IL-1β Levels | At baseline | This outcome measures the concentration of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in unstimulated saliva and compares levels between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: pg/mL |
| Salivary Leptin Levels | At baseline | This outcome measures the concentration of leptin in unstimulated saliva and compares levels between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: pg/mL |
| Serum IL-1α Levels | At baseline | This outcome measures the concentration of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) in serum samples and compares levels between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: pg/mL |
| Serum IL-1β Levels | At baseline | This outcome measures the concentration of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in serum samples and compares levels between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: pg/mL |
| Serum Leptin Levels | At baseline | This outcome measures the concentration of leptin in serum samples and compares levels between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: pg/mL |
| Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) IL-1α Levels | At baseline | This outcome measures the concentration of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) in GCF samples and compares levels between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: pg/mL |
| GCF IL-1β Levels | At baseline | This outcome measures the concentration of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in GCF samples and compares levels between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: pg/mL |
| GCF Leptin Levels | At baseline | This outcome measures the concentration of leptin in GCF samples and compares levels between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: pg/mL |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | at baseline | Unit of Measure: kg/m² Description: BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m²). Measurements will be used to classify participants as obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) or non-obese (BMI \< 75th percentile) according to age- and sex-specific CDC growth charts. Higher BMI values indicate greater obesity severity. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding on Probing (BOP) | at baseline | Unit of Measure: Percentage of sites with bleeding (%) Description: The proportion of periodontal sites that bleed upon gentle probing will be recorded. Higher percentages indicate greater gingival inflammation. |
| Plaque Index (PI) Score | At baseline (during clinical examination) | Unit of Measure: Index score (0-3 scale) Description: Plaque accumulation will be assessed using the Silness and Löe Plaque Index. Scores range from 0 (no plaque) to 3 (abundant plaque). Higher scores indicate worse oral hygiene. |
| Dental Caries Experience (dft Index) | At baseline | Unit of Measure: Number of affected teeth (dft score: 0 to 20) Description: The dft index (decayed and filled primary teeth) will be recorded to assess caries experience in the primary dentition. Scores range from 0 (no caries experience) to 20 (maximum caries experience in all primary teeth). Higher scores indicate worse dental health. |
| Presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in Subgingival Plaque | At baseline (single time point) | Detection of P. gingivalis in subgingival plaque samples using real-time PCR. Results will be compared between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: Presence/Absence (or Log genome equivalents if quantitative PCR used) |
| Presence of Treponema denticola in Subgingival Plaque | At baseline (during clinical examination) | Detection of reponema denticola in subgingival plaque samples using real-time PCR. Results will be compared between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: Presence/Absence (or Log genome equivalents if quantitative PCR used) |
| Presence of Tannerella forsythia in Subgingival Plaque | At baseline (during clinical examination) | Detection of Tannerella forsythia in subgingival plaque samples using real-time PCR. Results will be compared between obese and non-obese adolescents. Unit of Measure: Presence/Absence (or Log genome equivalents if quantitative PCR used) |
| Presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in Subgingival Plaque | At baseline | Unit of Measure: Presence/absence (qualitative PCR) Description: Detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans in subgingival plaque samples using real-time PCR. Results will be compared between obese and non-obese adolescents. |
| Presence of Prevotella intermedia in Subgingival Plaque | At baseline | Unit of Measure: Presence/absence (qualitative PCR) Description: PCR-based detection of P. intermedia in subgingival plaque. Prevalence will be compared between obese and non-obese adolescents. |
| Presence of Candida albicans in Subgingival Plaque | At baseline | Unit of Measure: Presence/absence (qualitative PCR) Description: Identification of Candida albicans in subgingival plaque using real-time PCR and comparison of presence between obese and non-obese groups. |
| Total Bacterial DNA in Subgingival Plaque | At baseline | Unit of Measure: Log genome equivalents/sample (quantitative PCR) Description: Total bacterial DNA load in subgingival plaque will be quantified using real-time PCR and compared between obese and non-obese adolescents. |
| Gingival Index (GI) Score | At baseline | Unit of Measure: Index score (0-3 scale) Description: Gingival inflammation will be evaluated using the Löe and Silness Gingival Index. Scores range from 0 (healthy) to 3 (severe inflammation). Higher scores indicate worse gingival health. |
| Probing Depth (PD) | At baseline | Unit of Measure: Millimeters (mm) Description: Probing depth will be measured at six sites per tooth using a Williams probe. Higher values indicate deeper periodontal pockets and worse periodontal condition. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed