The present study contributes to the growing body of evidence linking psoriasis with an increased risk of periodontitis. Our findings indicate a significantly higher prevalence of periodontitis among individuals with psoriasis compared to controls, with a prevalence of 46.1% and 33.1%, respectively. This aligns with previous studies reporting similar associations and underscores the need for heightened awareness and management of periodontal health in individuals with psoriasis (14).
In univariate analysis, individuals with psoriasis had a 1.72 times higher likelihood of presenting with periodontitis compared to controls. This association highlights the potential systemic impact of psoriasis on periodontal health. Moreover, we observed a poorer periodontal clinical condition among psoriatic individuals, characterized by higher mean values of plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Additionally, there were significantly higher percentages of sites with deeper PD (4–6 mm) and greater CAL (> 5 mm) in the psoriasis group, indicating more severe periodontal involvement compared to controls (15).
These findings are consistent with previous research by Preus et al. and other observational studies that have reported similar trends in periodontal parameters among individuals with psoriasis. They noted reduced radiographic bone levels and increased tooth loss in psoriatic patients, reinforcing our clinical findings of poorer periodontal health in this population. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations observed in some studies, such as retrospective data collection and varying methodologies for assessing periodontal and psoriasis conditions, which may introduce biases and affect result interpretation (16).
The demographic characteristics of our study population, comprising 183 individuals with psoriasis and 181 controls, showed no significant age difference between the groups, with mean ages of 48.12 years in controls and 45.78 years in the psoriasis group. Other variables of interest, including BMI, prevalence of diabetes, use of anxiolytics and antidepressants, and smoking status, were significantly higher in individuals with psoriasis compared to controls. These differences underscore the multifactorial nature of both psoriasis and periodontitis, involving genetic predispositions, lifestyle factors, and systemic inflammatory pathways (17).
Subsequent observational studies have corroborated these initial findings but have also highlighted some conflicting results and methodological limitations. These studies have utilized retrospective data from medical records, employed various indexes to characterize periodontitis, and often involved small sample sizes. Additionally, reliance on self-reported information about periodontal and psoriasis conditions has been noted as a potential limitation in these investigations (18).
Moreover, our study demonstrated a significant increase in the prevalence of periodontitis with increasing severity of psoriasis, underscoring a relationship between these two conditions. This association, previously unreported in some earlier studies, contrasts with findings suggesting that the severity of periodontitis might predispose individuals to a higher likelihood of developing psoriasis (19).
In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, Ungprasert et al. provided a comprehensive analysis of two case-control studies and three cohort studies, revealing a significantly increased risk of psoriasis among individuals with periodontitis (pooled RR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.35–1.77; p < 0.001). However, the review discussed several critical issues regarding the quality of the studies included: (1) potential imprecision in diagnosing periodontitis and psoriasis; (2) the possibility that the observed increased risk of periodontitis in individuals with psoriasis may be due to shared risk factors rather than a causal relationship, such as smoking, obesity, and diabetes mellitus (20).
In contrast, our study represents an advancement compared to previous research in several aspects: it utilized a representative sample, conducted full-mouth periodontal examinations, and employed robust criteria for defining periodontitis and psoriasis, thereby enhancing the reliability of our findings (21).
The association between periodontitis and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases has been extensively studied and acknowledged in recent years. The biological plausibility linking periodontitis and psoriasis stems from their shared characteristics as chronic inflammatory immunomediated diseases, along with common immunopathogenic processes involving innate and adaptive immune responses and deregulation. Psoriasis contributes to systemic inflammation and endothelial activation through affected skin areas, characterized by elevated levels of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-17, IL-1β, and IL-6. Concurrently, dysbiotic oral pathogens in periodontitis initiate systemic immune dysregulation. Pathogens like P. gingivalis activate innate and adaptive immune responses, triggering inflammation at distant sites, akin to the neutrophilic nature observed in both periodontitis and psoriasis inflammatory episodes (22).
The final multivariate models for periodontitis occurrence confirmed significant associations with the number of teeth, smoking, and BMI. Tooth loss, a definitive consequence of oral diseases impacting periodontal and dental tissues, notably affects self-reported oral health quality. Individuals with psoriasis exhibited significantly fewer teeth compared to controls, consistent with previous findings (23).
Smoking plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of both psoriasis and periodontitis, influencing oxidative stress pathways and vascular dynamics in psoriasis, as well as exacerbating periodontitis severity and progression. Antal et al. highlighted a robust association between periodontitis and psoriasis severity. In this study, smoking showed a strong association with both periodontitis (OR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.19–3.07; p = 0.008) and psoriasis, reflecting its systemic impact on inflammatory processes (24).
Immunological, endocrine, and behavioral factors (such as poor oral hygiene and smoking) predispose individuals to susceptibility to both psoriasis and periodontitis over extended periods. Obesity, as indicated by BMI, also exhibited a significant association with periodontitis prevalence. Obesity contributes to systemic inflammation via metabolic and immunological dysregulation, impacting innate and adaptive immune responses and increasing susceptibility to periodontitis. Moreover, obesity correlates with elevated levels of inflammatory mediators like IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Similarly, in psoriasis, inflammatory mediators and hormones contribute to chronic inflammation and exacerbation of psoriatic lesions (25).
The present study has several limitations. The use of a convenience sample may affect the generalizability of the findings, and the case-control design does not establish temporal relationships between psoriasis and periodontal conditions. Additionally, the low prevalence of psoriasis (approximately 1–3%) poses challenges in obtaining large sample sizes. Nonetheless, this study serves as an important initial exploration into the relationship between periodontitis and psoriasis (26).
The study underscores the inclusion of periodontitis as a significant comorbidity associated with psoriasis. It raises questions about the influence of lifestyle factors, the role of genetic susceptibility, and specific phenotypes in individuals with both psoriasis and periodontitis, necessitating further investigation. This research highlights the importance of dermatologists and periodontists expanding their clinical assessments to include examination of oral health and dermatological conditions. Enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to improve the management and quality of life for individuals affected by both psoriasis and periodontitis (27).
In conclusion, individuals with psoriasis exhibited a higher prevalence of periodontitis compared to controls, and the severity of psoriasis correlated significantly with various periodontal clinical parameters. These results underscore the need for future studies employing intervention and prospective designs with rigorous methodologies to further elucidate the causal relationship between psoriasis and periodontitis. This research provides a foundational basis for advancing our understanding of these interrelated conditions and their management strategies .