Prevalence and importance of periodontal disease in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in Veracruz

Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have a higher incidence of periodontal disease. Both conditions are related to the oral and gut microbiota dysbiosis that conditions systemic inflammation. In our population, the frequency and importance of that association have not been documented. To determine the prevalence of periodontal disease in patients with MASLD treated at a referral center in Veracruz. A prospective, comparative, analytic, cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with MASLD and a group of healthy controls. Anthropometric characteristics, liver steatosis grade, dental involvement, and quality of life were analyzed. The statistical analysis included measures of central tendency and dispersion, as well as frequency and percentage. The two groups were compared using the Student’s t test or Wilcoxon test, the chi-square test, and the Pearson or Spearman correlations, employing the SPSS-5 program. Thirty-seven patients with MASLD were studied. Mean patient age was 56.3 ± 12.3 years, 70.3% were women, and mean BMI was 34.2 ± 5.9. A total of 18.9% of patients presented with gingivitis and 81.1% with periodontitis (p < 0.0001), compared with the controls (mean age 54.6 ± 9.8 years, 65.5% women, BMI 28.7 ± 5.7), in which 13.8% had gingivitis and 37.9% periodontitis. Steatosis grade and periodontal disease were significantly correlated (r = 0.412, p = 0.003), with no differences in food quality (r = –0.037, p = 0.798); 36.9% of patients reported a decrease in quality of life. Our results showed an elevated prevalence of periodontal disease in patients with MASLD that negatively impacted quality of life, suggesting the need for comprehensive management. Los pacientes con esteatosis hepática metabólica (MASLD) presentan mayor incidencia de enfermedades periodontales. Ambas condiciones están relacionadas con disbiosis de la microbiota oral e intestinal que condiciona inflamación sistémica. En nuestra población, no se ha documentado la frecuencia e importancia de esta asociación. Determinar la prevalencia de la enfermedad periodontal en pacientes con MASLD atendidos en un Centro de Referencia en Veracruz. Estudio prospectivo transversal, comparativo y analítico en pacientes con MASLD, comparado con un grupo de sujetos sanos. Se analizaron las características antropométricas, grado de esteatosis hepática, afectación odontológica y calidad de vida. El análisis estadístico incluyó medidas de tendencia central, dispersión, frecuencias y porcentajes; se compararon ambos grupos mediante la prueba T de Student o Wilcoxon y chi-cuadrado y correlaciones con Pearson o Spearman, utilizando el programa SPSS-5. Se estudiaron 37 pacientes con MASLD, edad promedio de 56.3 ± 12.3 años, 70.3% mujeres, IMC 34.2 ± 5.9. Presentaron gingivitis el 18.9% y periodontitis el 81.1% (p < 0.0001) comparado con un grupo control (promedio de edad 54.6 ± 9.8 años, 65.5% mujeres, IMC 28.7 ± 5.7), donde la gingivitis fue del 13.8% y la periodontitis del 37.9%. Se encontró correlación significativa entre el grado de esteatosis y enfermedad periodontal (r = 0.412, p = 0.003), sin diferencias en la calidad de la alimentación (r = -0.037, p = 0.798), aunque el 36.9% de los casos reportaron afectación de la calidad de vida. Los resultados evidencian elevada prevalencia de enfermedad periodontal en pacientes con MASLD, impactando negativamente su calidad de vida, lo que sugiere la necesidad de un manejo integral.