"Treating gum disease reduced symptoms of prostate inflammation called prostatitis report researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and the Departments of Urology and Pathology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Previous studies have found a link between gum disease and prostatitis a disease that inflames the gland that produces semen. Inflammation can make urination difficult. 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 said Nabil Bissada chair of Case Western Reserves Department of Periodontics and the new studys corresponding author. The researchers reported their findings in the Dentistry article Periodontal Treatment Improves Prostate Symptoms and Lowers Serum PSA in Men with High PSA and Chronic Periodontitis httpomicsonline.orgopenaccessperiodontaltreatmentimprovesprostatesymptomsandlowersserumpsainmenwithhighpsaandchronicperiodontitis.phpaid. Naif Alwithanani a graduate student in the dental school led the investigation as part of his residency in periodontics. Bissada explained that gum disease not only affects the mouth but is a systemwide condition that can cause inflammation in various parts of the body. The dental school has previously found a link between gum disease and fetal deaths rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. The new prostate study Researchers studied  men  years old and older. Each had had a needle biopsy within the past year that confirmed inflammation of the prostate gland and a blood test that showed elevated prostate specific antigen PSA levelspossible signs of inflammation and cancer.  The men were assessed for symptoms of prostate disease by answering questions on the InternationalProstate Symptom Score IPSS test about their quality of life and possible urination issues. Researchers found  of the  participants had no or mild inflammation but  had biopsyconfirmed malignancies. Two had both inflammation and a malignancy.  The men also had to have at least  teeth and were examined for signs of gum disease such as increased levels of inflammation and bleeding andor loose teeth due to attachment and bone loss. All the men had moderate to severe gum disease for which they received treatment. They were tested again for periodontal disease four to eight weeks later and showed significant improvement.  During the periodontal care the men received no treatment for their prostate conditions. But even without prostate treatment  of the  men showed decreased levels of PSA. Those with the highest levels of inflammation benefited the most from the periodontal treatment. Six participants showed no changes.  Symptom scores on the IPSS test also showed improvement. Bissada is now conducting followup research to support the first studys findings. He hopes to make periodontal treatment a standard part of treating prostate disease much like cardiac patients are often encouraged to visit their dentist before undergoing heart procedures and a dental checkup is advised for women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy.  Case Western Reserve dental researchers Nishant Joshi Catherine Demko and Robert Skillicorn and University Hospitals Case Medical Center researchers Donald Bodner Lee Ponsky Sanjay Gupta and Gregory T. MacLennan contributed to the study."