Background: Epidemiologic studies have shown an increased frequency, severity, and risk of periodontitis in patients with diabetes. Periodontitis is associated with certain interleukin (IL)-1 gene cluster polymorphisms. Diabetes is a proinflammatory state with increased levels of circulating cytokines suggesting a causal role for inflammation in its etiology. Common genetic factors may be involved in the susceptibility for diabetes and periodontitis. We evaluated the relationships among IL-1 gene polymorphisms, type 2 diabetes, and periodontitis.
Methods: One hundred twelve patients with diabetes and chronic periodontitis, 224 patients without diabetes but with chronic periodontitis, and 208 healthy subjects without periodontitis were studied. All received a clinical periodontal examination and assessment of standard periodontal parameters. IL-1A -889, -1B +3954, and -1B -511 polymorphisms were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis. Variable numbers of IL-1RN tandem repeats were detected by PCR amplification and fragment-size analysis.
Results: The severity and extent of periodontitis was significantly greater in patients with diabetes than in patients without diabetes. No significant differences in IL-1A -899, -1B +3954, or -1RN genotype frequencies were found between patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes. The IL-1A -889 TT genotype (odds ratio [OR] = 2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20 to 7.02), IL-1B +3954 TT genotype (OR = 3.54; 95% CI = 1.15 to 10.85), and IL-1B -511 CC genotype (OR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.25 to 3.58) were significantly associated with periodontitis. The presence of an IL-1 positive genotype was significantly associated with periodontitis (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.04 to 2.49). No interaction between smoking status and polymorphisms was found.
Conclusions: Periodontitis was significantly associated with some IL-1 gene polymorphisms. No association between diabetes and IL-1A and -1B gene polymorphisms was found.