Abstract
Studies investigating the periodontal status of women seeking fertility treatment have never been conducted. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the periodontal status among females referenced to a Fertility Clinic (FC) when compared to matched females from a representative regional epidemiological sample. Our secondary aims were to investigate if periodontal clinical measures differ between these two groups of females and how they impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). We enrolled 18 women from an FC and 18 age, race and body mass index matched controls from the epidemiological survey Study of Periodontal Health in Almada-Seixal (SoPHiAS). In each subject, we performed a circumferential periodontal inspection to infer the periodontal status and applied a questionnaire measuring OHRQoL. FC females presented higher levels of periodontal disease, with higher periodontal epithelial surface area, periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment loss. However, periodontal diseases did not impact OHRQoL in this particular group of women seeking fertility care, suggesting unawareness about periodontal diseases. Within the limitations of this study, females referenced for fertility treatment presented worse periodontal measures than females from a representative control sample. These preliminary results may support future prospective studies to further explore the periodontal status and possible consequences in women seeking fertility care.
Highlights
According to the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology (ICMART) and the World Health Organization (WHO), female infertility is defined when the female reproductive system is unable to secure a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse [1,2]
Eighteen consecutive female patients referenced for fertility treatment at the Center for Infertility and Medically Assisted Reproduction (CIMAR) at Garcia de Orta Hospital (Almada, Portugal), were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, between February and March 2020
The results of this study show that women seeking fertility treatment presented higher levels of periodontitis compared to matched females from a representative epidemiological sample
Summary
According to the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology (ICMART) and the World Health Organization (WHO), female infertility is defined when the female reproductive system is unable to secure a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse [1,2]. Infertility is a multifactorial disorder and, a clinical challenge [3,4]. Periodontitis (PD) is a chronic periodontal disease characterized by inflamed gums and bone destruction surrounding the teeth due to a dysbiotic microflora that induces the upregulation of inflammatory mediators [5,6]. Public Health 2020, 17, 5281; doi:10.3390/ijerph17155281 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
