Exploring the Link Between Inflammatory Gene Variants and Phenotypes of Periodontal Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Periodontal disease (PD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are prevalent chronic inflammatory conditions affecting over 50% of Colombians and a substantial proportion of the global population. This study investigated genetic associations between interleukin (IL) gene variants (IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17) and the risk of PD, OSA, or their coexistence in 129 Colombian individuals, including cases (PD, OSA, PD + OSA) and healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. Key findings revealed that IL-1β variants (rs1143627, rs16944) significantly increased OSA risk (OR = 3.6 and 3.36; p  = 0.004 and 0.008). The IL-10 (rs1800896) also elevated OSA risk (OR = 4.44; p  = 0.004), whereas the IL-17 (rs2275913) showed a protective effect (OR = 0.21; p  = 0.0003). Among individuals with PD + OSA, IL-1β variants (rs1143627, rs16944) conferred an even higher risk (OR = 4.8; p  = 0.0007-0.0008). No significant genetic associations were found for PD alone. In conclusion, these findings highlight the central role of inflammation in PD-OSA comorbidity, driven by dysregulated interleukin signaling pathways. Variants in IL-1β and IL-10 may predispose individuals to both conditions, suggesting shared inflammatory mechanisms. These insights could inform the development of targeted therapies addressing inflammatory pathways underlying PD and OSA. The study underscores the importance of genetic and molecular research in advancing personalized treatment strategies for overlapping chronic diseases.