Treating periodontitis may help ease prostatitis symptoms

(HealthDay)—Treatment of periodontitis may help reduce symptoms of prostate inflammation in prostatitis, according to a study published recently in Dentistry.

The study included 27 men, age 21 and older, who had prostatitis and moderate to severe periodontitis. The researchers sought to assess changes in voiding symptoms, serum prostate- specific antigen (PSA), and inflammatory cytokine levels after non-surgical periodontal treatment in these men.

The researchers found that after treatment of periodontitis, all clinical periodontal parameters and International Prostate Symptom Score values improved. They also found a statistically significant correlation between the changes in periodontal parameters and PSA levels after periodontal treatment.

"This study shows that if we treat the gum disease, it can improve the symptoms of prostatitis and the quality of life for those who have the disease," corresponding author Nabil Bissada, D.D.S., chair of periodontics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, said in a university news release.