Relationship between Undernutrition and Periodontal Diseases among a Sample of Yemeni Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Undernutrition is an inadequate supply of energy and nutrients. Periodontal diseases (PDs) are defined as a broad form of chronic inflammatory disease of the gingiva, bone, and ligaments supporting the teeth. This study aimed to reveal the relationship between undernutrition, using body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin level (Alb), and PDs in a sample of Yemeni population. A cross-sectional study was conducted at dental teaching clinics at the Faculty of Dentistry, Sana'a University. Of 1920 patients who attended clinics, only 229 matched the study criteria. Oral examination was performed to assess the periodontal clinical parameter measurements. BMI and Alb were measured. Participants of both genders were involved, with a slight increase in males ( n  = 134, 58.5%), and most of the study sample was in the age group of 18-35 years ( n  = 209, 91.3%). Regarding habits, only 18.2% ( n  = 43) of patients were smokers and about half of the participants ( n  = 136, 59.4%) were khat chewers. Most cases had mild undernutrition according to BMI ( n  = 139, 60.7%) and normal Alb level ( n  = 213, 93%). Regarding the periodontal diagnosis, most of the participants were diagnosed with gingivitis ( n  = 186, 81.2%). BMI and albumin level were nonsignificantly associated with PDs. PDs were statistically significant with the participant's age, gender, level of education, and smoking ( P > 0.05). However, BMI, khat chewing, and albumin level were nonsignificant factors of periodontal diseases among Yemeni participants ( P > 0.05). In both genders, variables such as age of the patients, smoking, khat chewing, and PDs were nonsignificantly associated with BMI. This study showed that the majority of the participants had been diagnosed with gingivitis, but there was not an association between PDs and undernutrition. This paper is presented on research square URL // https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-429796/v1 with DOI 10.21203/rs.3.rs-429796/v1.