Parkinson's disease (PA) affects approximately 1% of the global population aged 60 and above, with its pathogenesis involving severe neuroinflammation impacting both systemic and local inflammatory changes. Recent study suggests a compelling association between Parkinson's disease and heightened periodontal inflammatory burden, characterized by increased bleeding upon probing and elevated levels of inflammatory markers.

This study was published in the Journal Of Periodontology by Melis Y. and colleagues. The study aimed to investigate the association between Parkinson's disease and periodontal tissue inflammation, hypothesizing that periodontitis may contribute to a greater systemic inflammatory burden in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
The study included 60 patients diagnosed with Stage III, Grade B periodontitis, categorized into two groups: those with Parkinson's disease (P+PA) and those without (P-alone), with 20 participants in each group. Additionally, a control group comprised systemically and periodontally healthy individuals. Clinical periodontal parameters were meticulously recorded, and samples of serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected to measure inflammatory and neurodegenerative markers.
Key findings of the study were:
• Parkinson's patients displayed mild to moderate motor dysfunctions but maintained optimal oral hygiene control.
• Periodontal parameters and GCF volume were significantly higher in both the P-alone and P+PA groups compared to the control group.
• Parkinson's disease was linked to increased bleeding on probing (BOP) compared to periodontitis alone, indicating an elevated periodontal inflammatory burden in individuals with Parkinson's.
• YKL-40 levels in saliva and serum were notably higher in the P+PA group compared to both P-alone and the control group.
• GCF neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels from shallow sites were significantly elevated in the P+PA group compared to controls.
• GCF S100B levels from deep sites were higher in the P+PA group than in healthy individuals.
This parallel increase in neuroinflammation and periodontal inflammation sheds light on potential interconnected pathways between oral health and Parkinson's disease.
Reference:
Yilmaz, M., Yay, E., Balci, N., Toygar, H., Kılıc, B. B., Zirh, A., Rivas, C. A., & Kantarci, A. Parkinson’s disease is positively associated with periodontal inflammation. Journal of Periodontology,2023;94(12):1425–1435. https://doi.org/10.1002/jper.23-0274