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Periodontics · single question

Which of the following best describes the bidirectional relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease?

  1. Diabetes causes periodontal disease only through blood vessel thinning (angiopathy)
  2. The relationship is mediated through inflammatory sequelae — periodontal inflammation worsens glycemic control and diabetes worsens periodontal inflammation
  3. Periodontal disease causes diabetes mellitus
  4. There is no proven relationship between the two conditions
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Correct answer: B. The relationship is mediated through inflammatory sequelae — periodontal inflammation worsens glycemic control and diabetes worsens periodontal inflammation

The relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease is bidirectional and mediated through inflammatory mechanisms: (1) Diabetes worsens periodontitis through hyperglycemia → advanced glycation end products (AGEs) → enhanced inflammatory cytokine production, impaired neutrophil function, and microvascular changes; (2) Periodontitis worsens glycemic control through systemic inflammation → increased TNF-α and IL-6 → insulin resistance. Treating periodontitis improves HbA1c values.

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