Study links periodontal disease and prostatitis

Feb 17, 2010

Researchers may have found a correlation between inflammation from periodontal disease and inflammation from prostatitis, according to a study in the Journal of Periodontology (February 10, 2010).

Working with a small sample of 35 subjects, researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and University Hospitals Case Medical Center compared two markers: the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) used to measure inflammation levels in prostate disease, and clinical attachment level (CAL) of the gums and teeth, which can be an indicator for periodontitis. Because periodontitis has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, the researchers felt a link might exist with prostate disease as well.

A PSA elevation of 4.0 ng/mL in the blood can be a sign of inflammation or malignancy, the researchers noted. Patients with healthy prostate glands have lower than 4.0 ng/mL levels, while a CAL number greater than 2.7 mm indicates periodontitis.

"Subjects with both high CAL levels and moderate to severe prostatitis have higher levels of PSA or inflammation," said Nabil Bissada, D.D.S., chair of the department of periodontics in the dental school.

This might explain why PSA levels can be high in prostatitis but sometimes cannot be explained by what is happening in the prostate glands, Dr. Bissada added.

"It is something outside the prostate gland that is causing an inflammatory reaction," he said.

From a sample of 150 men, 35 patients qualified for the study. They were selected from patients at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center who had mild to severe prostatitis, had undergone needle biopsies, and were found to have inflammation and, in some patients, malignancies.

The participants were divided into two groups: those with high PSA levels for moderate or severe prostatitis or a malignancy, and those with PSA levels below 4 ng/mL. All had not had dental work done for at least three months and were given an examination to measure the gum health.

Looking at the results, the researchers found those with the most severe form of prostatitis also showed signs of periodontitis.