Periodontal Disease, Inflammatory Cytokines, and PGE₂ in Pregnant Patients at Risk of Preterm Delivery: A Pilot Study

Periodontal disease is an infection that, in pregnant women, can act as a risk factor for preterm delivery by increasing local and systemic inflammatory responses. Objective. To analyze the presence of periodontal disease, proinflammatory cytokines, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in pregnant patients at high risk for preterm delivery. Materials and Methods. Pilot study for a case-control study. We included 46 pregnant patients (23 patients at risk of preterm delivery as cases and 23 patients without risk of preterm delivery as controls). We excluded patients who received periodontal treatment, antibiotics, or antimicrobials over the last 3 months as well as those with infections or diseases such as diabetes or hypercholesterolemia. The patients underwent a periodontal assessment, and their levels of cytokines (interleukin- [IL-] 2, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor- [TNF-] ) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) were quantified. Results. Patients with periodontal disease showed higher levels of cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-) and PGE₂. Patients at high risk for preterm birth showed higher IL levels compared with patients at low risk for preterm delivery. PGE₂ increased with the severity of periodontal disease. PGE₂ was higher in patients at low risk for preterm delivery, although this difference was not significant. Conclusion. Periodontal disease can increase the systemic inflammatory response as well as the levels of PGE₂ and inflammatory cytokines in pregnant patients.