Periodontitis associated with prostate cancer and other urological cancers in patients over 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis triggers systemic inflammatory reactions that may be associated with different oncological diseases, such as prostate cancer (PC), although little information exists on the possibility of this association. To determine whether periodontitis is associated with PC and other non-metastatic urological cancers in patients over 50. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August and September 2024 at the outpatient clinic of the Belén de Trujillo Hospital (HBT) and the Regional Institute of Neoplastic Diseases “Dr. Luis Pinillos Ganoza”-IREN Norte (IREN), in Trujillo, Peru. In total, 192 patients were evaluated: 64 with PC, 64 with non-prostatic urological cancer (NPUC), and 64 with non-oncological urological disease (NOUD). Reliability was determined through inter-and intra-evaluator calibration to diagnose periodontitis, gingivitis inflammation, and plaque control. The corresponding specialist physician diagnosed PC, NPUC, and NOUD. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests, including nonparametric multiple comparison tests, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: An association between periodontitis and PC was found in patients over 50. PC was also directly associated with moderate periodontitis (p=0.014) and generalized gingivitis inflammation (p=0.019). Concerning NPUC, an association was found with periodontal pockets of 3.5-5.5 mm (p=0.031) and last visit to the dentist more than one year ago (p=0.012). Conclusions: There was an association between periodontitis and PC in patients over 50. Patients with moderate periodontitis and generalized GI were more likely to present PC compared with patients with NOUD. In addition, there was a greater probability of presenting PC versus NPUC in patients with periodontal pockets of 3.5-5.5 mm and in those whose last visit to the dentist was more than one year ago.