Obesity and Oral Diseases in Adult Patients

Overweight and obesity are among the major chronic disorders of the 21st century and one of the fastest growing health problems worldwide. Obesity is accompanied by a state of low-grade inflammation which may contribute to the occurrence of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, and certain cancers. Furthermore, obesity has been associated with oral health problems as hyposalivation, dental caries and periodontitis.

The management and treatment of obesity is outlined in clinical guidelines from American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology and European Association for the Study of Obesity. The cornerstone is life-style modification programs aiming to reduce energy intake and increase physical activity, referred to as conservative treatment. All patients must undergo a thorough systematic work-up. The work-up concludes in a final multi-disciplinary meeting with a concrete individualized plan on how sustained weight-loss is to be achieved; either by a non-surgical or a surgical approach (Bariatric surgery).

Periodontitis is cited to be the sixth most prevalent chronic condition globally. The mechanisms by which obesity affects the periodontal tissues is poorly understood, and the understanding of the key role of adipocytes in the inflammatory response to infections is crucial in comprehending how periodontal disease susceptibility may be modified in obese individuals.

The main objectives of the present research project are to explore the association between obesity and oral diseases and further, to assess how weight changes following non-surgical and surgical interventions of obese patients may affect the cariological and periodontal health status.

Four hundred patients referred to the Obesity Centre at Haukeland University Hospital, Norway will consecutively be screened and invited to participate in this prospective cohort study. At baseline, detailed medical and oral data will be obtained from health forms, questionnaires, clinical examinations, and by consulting the patient's care team. Following baseline examination, all patients will undergo a thorough systematic work-up consisting av interviews and consultations concluding in a final multi-disciplinary individualized non-surgical or surgical treatment plan on how sustained weight-loss can be achieved. New sets of medical, oral, and molecular data will be collected at 3-, 12- and 18-month following non-surgical/surgical interventions.