An update on the evidence for pathogenic mechanisms that may link periodontitis and diabetes

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Reena Wadia

Abstract

Elevated pro-inflammatory factors in the gingiva of patients with poorly controlled diabetes suggests a biological pathway that may aggravate periodontitis.

Main

Polak D and Shapira L. J Clin Periodontol. 2018; 45: 150–166

The aim of this study was to provide an update on the biological plausibility of the associations between periodontitis and diabetes. A literature search was conducted of articles published between 2012 and 2016. Small-scale molecular periodontal microbiome studies indicated a possible association between altered glucose metabolism in pre-diabetes and diabetes and changes in the periodontal microbiome, with no evidence for casual relationships. Clinical and animal studies found elevated gingival levels of pro-inflammatory factors such as IL1-β, TNF-α, IL-6, RANKL/OPG and oxygen metabolites in poorly controlled diabetes. Individuals with diabetes and periodontitis exhibited higher levels of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating TNF-α, CRP as well as mediators of oxidative stress, and successful periodontal treatment reduced their levels.