Association between periodontitis and disc structural failures in patients with cervical degenerative disorders

Objective Recent studies have shown that the mouth–gut–disc axis may play a key role in the process of disc structural failures (including intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and endplate change) in the cervical spine and neck pain. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the mouth–gut–disc axis remain elusive. Therefore, we explored whether periodontal disease is associated with disc structural failures in patients with cervical degeneration disorders and clinical outcomes. Methods Adults (aged > 18 years) who met open surgery criteria for cervical spine were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Participants were allocated into two groups based on periodontal examinations before surgery: no/mild periodontitis group and moderate/severe periodontitis group. Data were evaluated using an independent t test and Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results A total of 108 patients were enrolled, including 68 patients in the no/mild periodontitis group and 40 patients in the moderate/severe periodontitis group. The number of common causes of missing teeth ( P = 0.005), plaque index (PLI) ( P = 0.003), bleeding index (BI) ( P = 0.000), and probing depth (PD) ( P = 0.000) significantly differed between the two groups. The incidence rate of endplate change ( P = 0.005) was higher in the moderate/severe periodontitis group than in the no/mild periodontitis group. A moderate negative association was found between the neck disability index (NDI) score and periodontal parameters (PLI: r = − 0.337, P = 0.013; BI: r = − 0.426, P = 0.001; PD: r = − 0.346, r = − 0.010). Conclusions This is the first study to provide evidence that severe periodontitis is associated with a higher occurrence rate of disc structural failures and poor clinical outcomes in patients with cervical degenerative disorders.