Effect of Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy on the Salivary Resistin Level in Obese and Non-obese Individuals With Periodontitis

Background The bidirectional relationship between obesity and periodontitis has been well-established, and adipokines play a key role in this association. Among adipokines, salivary resistin has been relatively less studied as a potential marker of systemic inflammation in obese individuals with periodontitis. With the increasing burden of lifestyle diseases, understanding the effects of periodontal therapy on the systemic inflammatory status of obese individuals will aid in more comprehensive health management. Therefore, this study aimed to compare salivary resistin levels and periodontal parameters before and 12 weeks after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in obese and non-obese individuals with generalized stage II grade B periodontitis. Methods This longitudinal study included 60 participants with periodontitis. Participants were divided into two groups based on body mass index (BMI): the obese group (Group I) with BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m² and the non-obese group (Group II) with BMI ≤ 27.5 kg/m². At baseline, salivary resistin levels and periodontal parameters, including probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), full mouth plaque score (FMPS), and full mouth bleeding score (FMBS), were assessed. All participants underwent NSPT, with no local or systemic antibiotics or adjunctive treatments. Salivary resistin levels and periodontal parameters were reassessed 12 weeks post-treatment. Results Intergroup comparisons revealed higher resistin levels and periodontal parameters in the obese group at baseline and at the 12-week follow-up. Both groups showed a significant reduction in salivary resistin levels and clinical parameters after NSPT (p value<0.05). Even though the obese group demonstrated a greater magnitude of improvement in several measures, including salivary resistin, FMPS and FMBS after NSPT (p value<0.05), the values remain high compared to the non-obese group. Moreover, the non-obese group demonstrated a significant reduction in THE PPD and CAL indicating a pronounced clinical recovery following NSPT (p value<0.05). Conclusion Obesity contributes significantly to the severity of periodontitis by enhancing systemic inflammatory burden. NSPT effectively improved clinical periodontal health and reduced salivary resistin levels in individuals with periodontitis, regardless of obesity status. The obese group demonstrated more significant changes in salivary resistin levels following NSPT, but the clinical recovery in terms of PPD and CAL was better for the non-obese group. This study underscores the importance of integrating personalized periodontal care in obese individuals, along with other strategies aimed at reducing obesity associated inflammation to optimize long-term health outcomes.