Association between a body shape index (ABSI) and periodontal disease: a cross-sectional study

A body shape index (ABSI), calculated using height, weight, and abdominal circumference, has attracted attention as a new indicator of obesity that is independent of the body mass index (BMI). This cross-sectional study investigated whether ABSI was associated with periodontal disease in 3,797 participants who visited Asahi University Hospital. The modified community periodontal index was used to evaluate presence of periodontal disease. Participants with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 or ABSI ≥ 0.0080 were defined as obese. Overall, the present study included 2476 participants (65%) with periodontal pocket depth ≥ 4 mm, 880 participants (23%) with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, and 810 participants (21%) with ABSI ≥ 0.0080. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that presence of periodontal pocket depth ≥ 4 mm was significantly associated with the ABSI ≥ 0.0080 (odds ratio, 1.395; 95% confidence interval, 1.167–1.669), but there was no association with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. These results indicate that ABSI ≥ 0.0080 is associated with periodontal disease. When investigating the association between periodontal condition and obesity, it would be useful to use the ABSI as an indicator of obesity. However, because this study employs a cross-sectional design and a hospital-based sample, these factors may limit the estimation of causality and the generalizability of findings.