Systemic Links

Question 1

what does prolonged hyperlgycaemia lead to the formation of

Answer 1

advanced glycation end products (AGEs)

Question 2

impact of AGEs
(advanced glycation end products)

Answer 2

altered vascular function and permeability
altered cellular function
increased cytokine production
increased susceptibility to infection (including periodontitis)

Question 3

what can the relationship between periodontitis and diabetes be described as

Answer 3

bi-directional

Question 4

how does periodontitis exacerbate the pathology associated with diabetes

Answer 4

cytokine reservoir produced as a result of periodontitis interferes with glucose metabolism leading to hyperglycaemia and exacerbating pathology associated with diabetes

Question 5

how does diabetes increase patients susceptibility to periodontitis

Answer 5

chronic hyperglycaemia undermines neutrophil and macrophage function reducing their antibacterial activity and alters vascular function.
hyperglycaemia also sees burst of inflammatory cytokines (tnF - alpha, IL 6 ) which contribute to periodontal destruction

Question 6

what makes it difficult to determine a cause-effect relationship between cardiovascular disease and periodontitis

Answer 6

they share many of the same risk factores - smoking, obesity, diabetes, stress

Question 7

association between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Answer 7

periodontitis results in increased cytokines circulating which may contribute to collective level of cytokines in body which determines rupture of foetal membrane (labour)

Question 8

name 3 systemic diseases periodontitis is linked with

Answer 8

cardiovascular disease
diabetes
adverse pregnancy outcomes

Question 9

name 2 genetic disorders that carry an increased periodontitis risk

Answer 9

downs syndrome
papillon lefevre syndrome