Association between metabolic syndrome and gingival inflammation in obese children

Background and objectiveOur previous work showed a positive association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) in a sample of obese and non-obese children. However, whether this association persists among obese children is unknown. We aim to investigate the extent to which MetS is associated with GCF TNF- level among obese children. MethodologyWe performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from visit 1 of the QUebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth cohort. A total of 219 obese children aged 8-10years, for whom data were available for both MetS and TNF-, were included in our analysis. The independent variable, MetS, was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation recommendations. GCF samples were collected from the gingival sulcus using a paper strip, and the concentration of TNF- was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Analyses included descriptive statistics and sex-specific linear regression analyses adjusting for potential confounders. ResultsIn this sample comprising only obese children, 24 (10.9%) had MetS. Among obese boys, those with MetS had 44.9% higher GCF TNF- (95% confidence interval: 16.5%-73.3%) compared to those without MetS. No such association was detected in obese girls. ConclusionMetS was positively associated with GCF TNF- concentration in obese boys. These results suggest that obese boys with MetS may have a worse gingival health profile compared to their obese counterpart without MetS.