Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Diabetes. Sep 15, 2024; 15(9): 1842-1846
Published online Sep 15, 2024. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i9.1842
Link between periodontitis and diabetic retinopathy: Inflammatory pathways and clinical implications
Yu Zhao, Quan-Quan Shen
Yu Zhao, Geriatric Medicine Center, Department of Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, China
Quan-Quan Shen, Urology and Nephrology Center, Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, China
Quan-Quan Shen, Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital Bijie Hospital, Bijie 551700, Guizhou Province, China
Author contributions: Zhao Y drafted the manuscript; Shen QQ designed the research and revised the manuscript; both authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by the Zhejiang Medical Technology Project, No. 2022RC009; and National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81900692.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no financial relationships to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Quan-Quan Shen, MD, Associate Professor, Doctor, Urology and Nephrology Center, Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), No. 158 Shangtang Road, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital Bijie Hospital, No. 112 Guanghui Road, Bijie 551700, Guizhou Province, China. spring198457@sina.com
Received: March 28, 2024
Revised: June 13, 2024
Accepted: June 19, 2024
Published online: September 15, 2024
Processing time: 151 Days and 23.7 Hours
Abstract

The bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been well-established. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important complication of diabetes, but there are few studies on the relationship between DR and periodontitis, especially on the intrinsic inflammatory pathway mechanism. This article reviews the latest clinical data on how diabetes promotes susceptibility to periodontitis from the epidemiological and molecular perspectives, with a special focus on the key roles of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in the interplay between DR and periodontitis. Comprehension of the intertwined pathogenesis of DR and periodontitis can better guide the development of comprehensive management strategies for glycemic control and periodontal health, with the aim of mitigating the progression of DR and enhancing overall well-being.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Diabetic retinopathy; Microvascular complications; Periodontitis; Systemic inflammation; Endothelial dysfunction

Core Tip: This editorial elucidates the significant link between periodontitis and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. By examining the inflammatory pathways shared by both conditions, we highlight how periodontal inflammation not only exacerbates systemic inflammation but also contributes to vascular complications typical of DR. The study underscores the clinical implications of incorporating periodontal care into the management of diabetes, and advocates integrated treatment approaches to enhance patient outcomes.