Cytokine expression in gingival and intestinal tissues of patients with periodontitis and inflammatory bowel disease: An exploratory study.

Objective: To evaluate the expression of the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-25, IL-31, IL-33, IL-17A, IL-17F, sCD40L, and TNF-α in gingival tissue and intestinal mucosa of patients having both periodontitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and assess how they cluster in both tissues.

Methods: This cross-sectional study selected 28 patients with periodontitis (18 with Crohn's disease and 10 with ulcerative colitis) from the IBD gastroenterology outpatient clinic at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital. Patients were assessed using questionnaire, medical chart check and periodontal examination.