Shared Inflammatory Mechanisms in Psoriasis and Periodontitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Psoriasis and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory diseases fueled by immune dysregulation. This study investigated their association by evaluating periodontal parameters and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-17A (IL-17A), and YKL-40 levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum.

Sixty individuals were assigned into three groups: healthy controls (C), periodontitis (P), and psoriasis with periodontitis (PS + P). Periodontal indices, including plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL), were recorded. TNF-α, IL-17A, and YKL-40 concentrations in GCF and serum were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Periodontal parameters were markedly higher in both periodontitis groups than in controls (p < 0.05). Serum TNF-α and IL-17A levels were highest in the PS + P group. GCF TNF-α was increased in both P and PS + P groups, while GCF IL-17A was elevated only in the P group. GCF and serum YKL-40 were elevated in both periodontitis groups, without a significant intergroup difference. GCF TNF-α correlated with PD (p < 0.001), CAL (p < 0.001) and PI (p < 0.001), while GCF YKL-40 correlated with CAL (p < 0.001) and BOP (p < 0.001). In the PS + P group, GCF YKL-40 also correlated with GCF TNF-α (p = 0.001) and IL-17A (p = 0.003).

These findings suggest a possible influence of psoriasis on periodontal inflammatory responses.