Psoriasis Linked to Higher Risk of Acute Periodontal Abscesses: Study
Researchers have found in a new study that Psoriasis is independently associated with an increased risk of acute periodontal abscesses, even after accounting for other medical and behavioral risk factors. Closer collaboration between dermatologists and oral healthcare professionals may help with earlier diagnosis and preventive dental care. The study was published in the Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics journal by Ilan R. and colleagues.
For the purpose of assessing the epidemiological connection between psoriasis and acute endodontic pathology, researchers performed a retrospective analysis based on data extracted from de-identified electronic medical records of 2,108,676 patients. Diagnosis of psoriasis and acute periapical abscesses without the presence of sinus was made using specific diagnostic codes. Out of the entire database of the hospital, 16,084 patients had a diagnosis of psoriasis.
In order to exclude an effect of any common risk factor in the association, the researchers performed logistic regression analysis by adjusting for major systemic and behavioral risk factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, nicotine dependence, alcohol disorders, and biological immunosuppressive treatment. ORs and 95% CIs were calculated both unadjusted and adjusted for the whole group of patients and selected subgroups of patients.
Key findings:
- Among 16,084 patients diagnosed with psoriasis, 224 individuals were diagnosed with acute periapical abscesses, reflecting a significantly elevated unadjusted prevalence compared to non-psoriasis controls (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.94–2.53; p < 0.0001).
- The statistical association remained significant following individual adjustments for diabetes (OR, 1.40), nicotine dependence (OR, 1.31), and alcohol-related disorders (OR, 1.89).
- Patients receiving biologic therapy for psoriasis maintained an elevated independent risk of acute periapical abscesses relative to controls (OR, 1.77).
- Subgroup evaluations revealed that female patients and white patients with psoriasis exhibited a higher relative prevalence of acute periapical abscesses compared with other demographic populations in the dataset.
Psoriasis is a standalone risk factor for the formation of acute periapical abscesses; its significance is proven to be consistent after adjustment for metabolic, behavioral, and therapeutic factors. The results emphasize the important interconnection between systemic inflammatory skin diseases and acute oral disease processes.
Reference:
Rotstein I, Katz J, Grandini S, Malvicini G, Garcia-Godoy F. Prevalence of periapical abscesses in psoriasis patients: a retrospective cross-sectional study. Restor Dent Endod. 2026 Aug 10. doi: 10.5395/rde.2026.51.e39. Epub ahead of print.
