Relationship Between Nutritional Status, Physical Activity and Periodontal Status

Overview

This observational retrospective study aims to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status, physical activity levels, and periodontal health in adult patients. The project represents a second analytical phase of a previously conducted study (2021-2022), in which gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected solely for LL-37 analysis (NCT04404335). The biochemical component was completed and published independently (doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-03023-w) and will not be incorporated into the present analysis. In this newly proposed phase, the research team will review patients' clinical and dental records and analyze previously collected lifestyle, anthropometric, and periodontal data. Participants completed standardized health questionnaires on medical history, oral hygiene habits, dietary patterns, and lifestyle. They also completed a validated physical activity questionnaire over the course of one week. At their clinical visit, they underwent a full oral and periodontal examination, and anthropometric assessments including BMI, waist circumference, and body composition. The objective is to determine how nutritional status and physical activity relate to periodontal health using data collected during routine clinical evaluation and standardized assessments. This retrospective analysis may provide insight into lifestyle-related factors contributing to periodontal disease risk and severity. The study received ethics committee approval (Ref.: 1003202109021) prior to any data collection, although the retrospective analysis of clinical records had not been conducted or registered until now.

This retrospective observational study investigates the relationship between nutritional status, physical activity, and periodontal health in adult patients. It represents the second analytical phase of a broader project conducted at the University Clinic of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. The initial phase (2021-2022) involved the collection of gingival crevicular fluid samples for quantification of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37. That biochemical analysis was registered and published separately and will not be incorporated into the present study. Instead, the current phase focuses exclusively on clinical, anthropometric, and lifestyle-related variables. The aim of this phase is to analyze previously collected data to identify potential associations between periodontal status and indicators of physical activity and nutritional condition. The analysis is retrospective, based on patient records and datasets gathered during standard clinical procedures and validated questionnaires. The approved retention period for personal data was five years, allowing for the current review. Participants completed a comprehensive health questionnaire routinely used at the University Clinic. This instrument collects detailed information regarding systemic diseases, medications, oral hygiene behaviors, dietary habits, and lifestyle. A validated physical activity questionnaire was administered, to be completed over the course of one week. A full oral and periodontal examination was performed following standardized clinical diagnostic criteria. Measurements included plaque levels, probing depths, clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing, and other conventional periodontal parameters, allowing for determination of periodontal disease presence and grading. Anthropometric and functional assessments were also carried out. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured to calculate body mass index and evaluate central adiposity. Body composition was assessed using a specialized bioimpedance scale capable of estimating fat mass, body water, and muscle mass. Although gingival crevicular fluid samples had been collected during the original study, these biochemical data will not be integrated into the present analysis. The focus of this retrospective study is exclusively on clinical periodontal outcomes and their potential association with lifestyle-related variables, anthropometric indicators, and physical activity measures. The dataset compiled during the earlier phase provides a unique opportunity to explore interactions among nutritional status, physical activity, functional strength, and periodontal disease. By reviewing and analyzing these previously collected variables, the study aims to generate evidence that may inform preventive strategies, risk stratification, and holistic approaches to managing periodontal health in relation to systemic well-being.