Reflex Gastroesophageal Disorders and Functional Dyspepsia: Potential Confounding Variables for the Progression of Chronic Periodontitis: A Clinical Study

Aim: To probe into the possible connection between gastroesophageal reflux disorders (GERDs) and functionally occurring dyspepsia as a factor raising the risk of chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional study was carried out on 40 patients with chronic periodontitis with age group between 40–60 years. The test group included 20 people diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to the Montreal Definition and Classification agreement, and chronic periodontitis. Symptomatic diagnoses were done to confirm functional dyspepsia. The control group comprised 20 systematically healthy people suffering from chronic periodontitis. Indices measured included flow‑rate of saliva, repetitive saliva swallowing test for swallowing function, papillary marginal attachment index of gingiva, oral hygiene index‑simplified and decayed, missing, filled teeth index. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 (IBM Inc. Chicago, USA). Descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables and frequency and percentage for categorical variables were determined. T test was performed for intergroup comparison and Pearson correlation test was done for evaluating correlation between various parameters. P ≤ 0.05 considered as significant. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between the test and control groups with regard to all the clinical parameters of interest. Pearson’s correlation test revealed a strong negative correlation between salivary flow rate and OHI‑S and DMFT scores. The RSST swallow function values demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with OHI‑S scores, while OHI‑I scores and DMFT scores were observed to be strongly correlated in a positive direction. A statistically significant difference was present in the probing depth and CAL levels between both the groups with higher levels in test group. Conclusion: GERD was linked to incremental incidences of chronic periodontitis and was established as an independent risk‑raising factor.