Dataset Information

Association between halitosis and female fecundability in China: a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Periodontal diseases and poor oral hygiene are potentially associated with decreased female fecundability. Fecundability refers to the probability of conception during a given period measured in months or menstrual cycles. This study aims to examine whether halitosis is associated with female fecundability in a large sample of Chinese women who planned to be pregnant.

Methods

In 2012, a total of 6319 couples came for preconception care in eight districts in Shanghai, China and were followed by telephone contact. Three thousand nine hundred fifteen women who continued trying to be pregnant for up to 24 months remained for final statistical analyses. Halitosis was self-reported at the preconception care visit. Time to pregnancy (TTP) was reported in months and was censored at 24 months. Fecundability ratio (FR) was defined as the ratio of probability of conception among those with and without halitosis. FR and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using the discrete-time Cox model.

Results

80.1 and 86.1% of women had self-reported clinically confirmed pregnancy within 12 and 24 months, respectively. Halitosis was reported in 8.7% of the women. After controlling for potential confounders, halitosis was associated with a reduced probability of spontaneous conception (for an observation period of 12 months: adjusted FR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72-0.94; for an observation period of 24 months: adjusted FR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.96).

Conclusions

Halitosis is associated with reduced fecundability in Chinese women.

SUBMITTER: Huo X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8691089 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Study questionIs bacterial vaginosis (BV) associated with fecundability?Summary answerWomen with BV may be at increased risk for sub-fecundity.What is known alreadyWhile BV has been associated with poor IVF outcomes, the association between vaginal microbiota disruption and non-medically assisted conception has not been thoroughly explored.Study design, size, durationKenyan women with fertility intent were enrolled in prospective cohort that included monthly preconception visits with vaginal fluid specimen collection and pregnancy testing. Four hundred fifty-eight women attempting pregnancy for ≤3 menstrual cycles at enrollment were eligible for this fecundability analysis.Participants/materials, setting, methodsAt monthly preconception visits, participants reported the first day of last menstrual period and sexual behavior, underwent pregnancy testing and provided vaginal specimens. Discrete time proportional probabilities models were used to estimate fecundability ratios (FRs) and 95% CI in menstrual cycles with and without BV (Nugent score ≥ 7) at the visit prior to each pregnancy test. We also assessed the association between persistent BV (BV at two consecutive visits) and fecundability.Main results and the role of chanceParticipants contributed 1376 menstrual cycles; 18.5% (n = 255) resulted in pregnancy. After adjusting for age, frequency of condomless sex and study site, BV at the visit prior to pregnancy testing was associated with a 17% lower fecundability (adjusted FR (aFR) 0.83, 95% CI 0.6-1.1). Persistent BV was associated with a 43% reduction in fecundability compared to cycles characterized by optimal vaginal health (aFR 0.57, 95% CI 0.4-0.8).Limitations, reasons for cautionDetection of vaginal microbiota disruption using Gram stain and a point-of-care test for elevated sialidase identified a non-optimal vaginal environment, but these non-specific methods may miss important relationships that could be identified by characterizing individual vaginal bacteria and bacterial communities using molecular methods. In addition, results may be subject to residual confounding by condomless sex as this was reported for the prior month rather than for the fertile window during each cycle.Wider implications of the findingsGiven the high global prevalence of BV and infertility, an association between BV and reduced fecundability could have important implications for a large number of women who wish to conceive. Multi-omics approaches to studying the vaginal microbiota may provide key insights into this association and identify potential targets for intervention.Study funding/competing interest(s)This work was supported by a National Institutes of Health grant (NICHD R01 HD087346-R.S.M.). R.S.M. received additional support for mentoring (NICHD K24 HD88229). E.M.L. was supported by pre- and post-doctoral fellowships (NIAID T32 AI07140, NICHD F32 HD100202). Data collection and management were made possible using REDCap electronic data capture tools hosted at the University of Washington's Institute of Translational Health Science supported by grants from NCATS/NIH (UL1 TR002319). The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. R.S.M. receives research funding, paid to the University of Washington, from Hologic Corporation, and has received honoraria for consulting from Lupin Pharmaceuticals. L.E.M. receives research funding, paid to the University of Washington, from Hologic Corporation, and has received honoraria for service on scientific advisory boards from Hologic and Nabriva Therapeutics.Trial registration numberN/A.