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Association between periodontitis, leukoaraiosis and sTWEAK. A case-control study
Jorge Moldes1, Antonio Arnau2, Manuel Rodríguez-Yáñez3
1Family and Community Medicine Department, Bueu Health Centre, Pontevedra University Clinical Hospital, Pontevedra, Spain.
Frontiers in Oral Health
|March 19, 2026
Summary
Periodontitis, an oral inflammatory condition, is linked to leukoaraiosis (LA), a brain white matter disease. This study found periodontitis is associated with LA and may increase sTWEAK levels, a marker of inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Periodontology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Periodontitis is increasingly linked to systemic diseases, with inflammation as a potential mediator.
- Leukoaraiosis (LA) is a neurological condition affecting brain white matter.
- The relationship between periodontitis and LA, and its impact on inflammatory markers, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between periodontitis and the presence of leukoaraiosis (LA).
- To explore the role of periodontitis in modulating serum levels of soluble fragment of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) in patients with LA.
Main Methods:
- A nested case-control study was conducted with 70 LA patients and 140 controls.
- Periodontal examinations, clinical data collection (socio-demographics, risk factors, BMI), and neuroimaging were performed.
- Serum sTWEAK levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Main Results:
- Periodontitis prevalence was significantly higher in LA patients (74.3%) compared to controls (32.1%).
- Mean serum sTWEAK concentrations were significantly elevated in LA patients (247.5 pg/mL) versus controls (27.5 pg/mL).
- Periodontitis was independently associated with LA presence (OR=6.3) and correlated with increased sTWEAK levels in LA cases.
Conclusions:
- Periodontitis may be a contributing factor to the presence of leukoaraiosis.
- The presence of periodontitis could lead to elevated serum sTWEAK levels in individuals with LA.
