title: Association between periodontal disease and dementia: A literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Periodontal disease and dementia are very prevalent, especially in elderly populations. Multiple studies have shown a link between these diseases; however, the conditions are highly heterogeneous and so is the diagnostic methodology, which may hinder interpretation and comparison of the results. The aim of this article is to provide a critical review of the literature linking these 2 processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrieved 22 studies, most of which were retrospective, and analysed various methodological variables including study population, diagnosis of periodontitis, definition of dementia, adjusted variables, and results. The different aetiopathogenic mechanisms that may affect the progression and interaction of these 2 conditions were also analysed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although available evidence indicates a positive association between periodontitis and dementia, both the strength of that association and the presence of a causal relationship have yet to be determined.
authors: Departamento de Periodoncia, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Pazos
authors: Departamento de Periodoncia, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España. Electronic address: yagoleira@gmail.com.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Leira
authors: Servicio de Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Domínguez
authors: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España; Servicio de Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Pías-Peleteiro
authors: Departamento de Periodoncia, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Blanco
authors: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España; Servicio de Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Aldrey
mesh_terms: D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Demencia; Dementia; Enfermedad de Alzheimer; Factores de riesgo; Inflamación; Inflammation; Periodontitis; Review; Revisión; Risk factors