Periodontal and caries status in unexplained female infertility: A case-control study

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Reproductive Health
• Periodontology

Background:

• Periodontal disease and dental caries are prevalent oral health issues.
• Unexplained infertility affects a significant number of women.
• The potential link between maternal oral health and infertility requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between maternal periodontal disease, dental caries, and unexplained infertility.
• To evaluate oral health parameters in women with and without unexplained infertility.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional case-control study involving 50 fertile and 50 infertile women (aged 21-39).
• Assessment of dental and periodontal parameters, including periodontitis severity based on the latest classification.
• Evaluation of parameters such as bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), DMFT, plaque index (PI), PISA, and PESA.

Main Results:

• Infertile women exhibited higher rates of advanced caries lesions, BOP, GI, PD, and CAL.
• No significant difference in DMFT and plaque index between groups.
• Higher PISA and PESA scores were observed in women with unexplained infertility.
• Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant association between DMFT and BOP with periodontitis in all women and specifically in infertile women.

Conclusions:

• The chronic inflammatory state associated with periodontitis and advanced carious lesions in infertile women is a significant concern.
• These oral health conditions may play a role in the etiology of unexplained infertility.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking oral health and reproductive outcomes.