Evaluation of the relationship between periodontal inflammation and thyroid functions

Periodontitis is a microbial-associated, host-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by alveolar bone resorption and loss of periodontal attachment. In the few studies examining the effect of thyroid function on periodontitis, it has been reported that thyroid dysfunction may increase the severity of periodontitis and may be due to increased cytokine levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of advanced periodontitis on thyroid function and to contribute to the literature as the first study on this subject. We included 77 patients (38 women and 39 men) aged 28-63 years with stage 3 and stage 4 periodontitis. PI, GI, OSD and CAL values were recorded. The total inflammatory burden associated with periodontal disease was calculated using the PIYA index. A one-unit increase in PIYA was significantly negatively correlated with T3 and positively correlated with TSH (p<0.05). Another aspect of our study that is different from other studies in the literature is that our patients' vitamin D values and fractal analysis for cross-sectional radiologic changes in alveolar bone were analyzed. Patients with low vitamin D levels were significantly associated with both PIYA and T3 hormone. Fractal analysis showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the upper jaw maxilla and PIYA scores. No difference was observed in terms of gender. In conclusion, in the light of the data we obtained, exacerbated periodontal disease has a slightly significant effect on thyroid functions, especially on T3 hormone. Vitamin D deficiency may be considered a risk factor for the development of both chronic periodontitis and thyroid diseases. In order to support our study results, more longitudinal and cohort studies including saliva, serum and DOS samples and periodontal treatment outcomes are needed.