Effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy on prostate-specific antigen levels and recurrent urinary tract infections: a randomized controlled clinical study

To evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on serum PSA levels in men with chronic prostatitis and on urine culture positivity in women with recurrent urinary tract infections. Sixty patients with periodontitis and a urological diagnosis (30 men with prostatitis, 30 women with RUTIs) were randomized to one of three groups: control (no treatment), oral hygiene instruction (OHI), or periodontal therapy (PT). Probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in men, and urine culture positivity in women were assessed at baseline and at 30 and 120 days. PSA levels decreased significantly in men receiving PT (− 1.16 ± 0.9 ng/mL; p < 0.01); however, baseline differences between groups should be considered when interpreting these findings. No significant changes were observed in the control or OHI groups. In women, urine culture positivity declined from 75 to 30% after PT ( p = 0.03). Periodontal outcomes also improved with PT (PPD: − 0.7 ± 0.5 mm; BOP: − 22.5 ± 10.1%; p < 0.01). Positive correlations were found between PPD and PSA (r = 0.42; p = 0.02) and between BOP and UTI frequency (r = 0.37; p = 0.03). Non-surgical periodontal therapy was associated with reductions in PSA levels in men and urine culture positivity in women. These findings suggest a potential link between periodontal status and urogenital health; however, causality cannot be established and further studies are required.