Determining association between metabolic syndrome and its components and oral-dental health among participants in fasa adult cohort study (FACS)

In recent years, the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and oral and tooth health status has been broadly addressed. Yet, lots of challenges have raised concerning this relationship. Although some cross-sectional studies have verified the existence of a relationship between these two health challenges, the results in some epidemiological studies have been contradictory. Thus, the present study was developed and executed targeting to outline the association between metabolic syndrome and its components and oral status in the participants in the Fasa Adult Cohort Study (FACS). This cross-sectional study was performed on 10,092 participants in the Fasa (Persian) Adult Cohort using baseline data from the cohort study. The data were collected via a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, health indicators, the history of underlying diseases, and the history of medication taking, which was conducted by interviewing a trained expert. After the data were included in SPSS-24, independent t-tests and multivariable binary logistic regression were utilized to analyze the data. A metabolic syndrome prevalence was 24.6%. Distribution of individual metabolic syndrome components defined per harmonized ATP III criteria—was as follows: hypertension (20.1%), diabetes mellitus (12.3%), hypertriglyceridemia (28.2%), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (26.8%), and elevated waist circumference (3.2%). Oral health status was quantified using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and its constituent components. Mean ± standard deviation values were: sound (healthy) teeth, 17.33 ± 10.05; decayed teeth, 9.20 ± 7.22; missing teeth, 14.67 ± 10.05; and filled teeth, 0.63 ± 1.64. Bivariate analysis demonstrated statistically significant associations between metabolic syndrome status and all DMFT components: sound teeth ( P = 0.038), decayed teeth ( P = 0.001), missing teeth ( P = 0.045), and filled teeth ( P = 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for demographic and lifestyle covariates, dental indicators were not independently associated with MetS status (all P > 0.05). Results from this study demonstrate significant unadjusted associations between metabolic syndrome and compromised oral health status. However, these associations were not independent after adjustment for confounders. These findings support attention to oral health in the clinical assessment of metabolic risk, but do not establish dental indicators as independent screening markers for MetS.