THE SYSTEMIC IMPACT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE: ASSOCIATIONS WITH DIABETES, ALZHEIMER'S, HYPERTENSION, KIDNEY DISEASE, AND GASTROINTESTINAL CONDITIONS

Objective: This narrative literature review aims to explore the associations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal disorders. Methodology: A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Keywords used were “Periodontal Disease,” “Diabetes,” “Alzheimer’s,” “Hypertension,” “Kidney Disease,” and “Gastrointestinal Conditions,” combined using Boolean operators “AND” and “OR.” The selection process involved three stages: removal of duplicates using Zotero, screening of titles and abstracts, and full-text analysis. Only articles relevant to the review’s objective were included. Results: The reviewed studies revealed strong correlations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions. In diabetes, periodontal inflammation exacerbates glycemic control. In Alzheimer’s disease, periodontal pathogens may contribute to neuroinflammation. Associations with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease were also identified, suggesting that periodontal inflammation may play a contributory role through systemic inflammatory pathways. Conclusion: Periodontal disease extends beyond the oral cavity and may influence or be influenced by systemic health. Understanding these connections emphasizes the importance of oral health in the broader context of general health and supports integrated, interdisciplinary care.