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NCT Number: NCT07711431

Association Between Periodontal Disease and Chronic Neck Pain

This study investigates whether there is an association between periodontal disease (gum disease) and chronic neck pain and related functional disability. Participants aged 30-55 years will be grouped based on their periodontal health status (healthy, gingivitis, or periodontitis). Neck pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional disability will be measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). The study aims to determine whether periodontal disease severity is linked to the severity of neck pain and disability, which may help clarify a potential connection between oral health and musculoskeletal health.

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Key information

Conditions

Periodontal Disease Chronic Neck Pain Gingival Diseases Gingivitis Infections Mouth Diseases Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal Pain Neck Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Periodontal Diseases Periodontitis Signs and Symptoms Stomatognathic Diseases

Age range

30 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Faculty of Dentistry

Niğde, Niğde Province, 51240, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Şafak Necati Dönertaş, DDS

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905362119697

About this study

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the tissues supporting the teeth, and has been increasingly linked to systemic inflammatory processes that may contribute to musculoskeletal pain conditions. Chronic non-specific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint with a multifactorial etiology, and inflammatory mechanisms have been proposed as one potential contributing pathway.

This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the association between periodontal disease status and chronic non-specific neck pain and related functional disability. Participants will undergo a periodontal examination, including assessment of gingival index, plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and radiographic bone loss, and will be classified into periodontal health categories according to the 2017 World Workshop classification of periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions.

Neck pain intensity and functional disability will be assessed using validated outcome measures. Associations between periodontal disease severity and neck pain/disability outcomes will be examined, along with potential confounding factors.

Findings from this study may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between oral health and musculoskeletal health, and may inform future interdisciplinary approaches to patient assessment and care.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged between 30 and 55 years
  • Willing to participate and provide written informed consent
  • Able to undergo periodontal examination and complete self-report questionnaires

Exclusion criteria

  • Neck pain attributable to a specific identifiable cause (e.g., trauma, cervical disc herniation, spinal deformity, tumor, fracture)
  • Systemic inflammatory or autoimmune disease
  • Neurological disease affecting the cervical region
  • Pregnancy
  • Regular use of analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication
  • Fewer than 20 remaining natural teeth
  • History of periodontal treatment within the past 6 months

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Neck Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)

    Time frame: Assessed at the time of study enrollment (baseline, single time point)

    Neck pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm horizontal line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Participants will mark the point that best represents their current level of neck pain. Scores will be compared across periodontal health groups (healthy, gingivitis, periodontitis).

  2. Neck-Related Functional Disability (Neck Disability Index, NDI)

    Time frame: Assessed at the time of study enrollment (baseline, single time point)

    Functional disability related to neck pain will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a validated 10-item self-report questionnaire evaluating the impact of neck pain on daily activities. Scores will be compared across periodontal health groups (healthy, gingivitis, periodontitis).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Şafak Necati Dönertaş, DDS

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905362119697

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Nigde Omer Halisdemir University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of the Association Between Periodontal Diseases and Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain and Functional Disability: A Cross-Sectional Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 17, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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