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A close association between periodontal disease (PD) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has long been speculated. Both diseases are characterized by dysregulation of the host inflammatory response, leading to further destruction of the soft and hard connective tissue. There is evidence of increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and various interleukins in both patients of AS and periodontitis. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review exploring the relationship between AS and PD. We searched MEDLINE & Embase databases (from their inception till October 2019) using appropriate combinations of the following search items with limits '(English, Human)': Ankylosing spondylitis, spondyloarthritis, spondyloarthropathies, spondyloarthritides, spinal disease, musculoskeletal disease, rheumatic disease and periodontitis, PD, periodontoses, parodontoses, chronic periodontitis, gum disease, gingivitis, oral health, dental health, plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). This search was supplemented by the manual search of bibliographies of the selected articles and conference proceedings of the European League against Rheumatism. Only the reviews and observational studies of cross-sectional, cohort, or case-control type on adult patients with AS were selected. Data were extracted from a predesigned PROforma. A total of 984 articles were identified, and 12 were selected for a detailed appraisal. All the identified studies were of the case-control type. The prevalence of periodontitis ranged from 38% to 88% in patients with AS and 26% to 71% in the control group. Of the 12 studies, 2 showed significant changes in PI, 2 showed altered PPD, 3 showed significantly increased CAL, and 2 showed increased BOP. In 7 studies, periodontitis was seen in a significant number of patients with AS (p<0.05). All the studies reported that the prevalence of PD in patients with AS was higher than that in patients without AS. Our systematic review found an association between AS and PD. Patients with AS show a higher prevalence of periodontitis and poor oral hygiene than the healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a rapidly increasing pandemic, with almost one-third of the world population being affected. It has its impact on various systems, of which musculoskeletal system is also majorly affected. Its impact on rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are already known, but its association with ankylosing spondylitis is debatable and very few studies are being conducted to support its impact. The below article is a review of the association and impact of obesity on the disease activity, factors involved in its pathogenesis, impact on others underlying diseases, and therapeutic affections. This article also urges the need for the physicians to treat obesity as a separate disease condition which requires treatment like any other disease to improve the quality of life of individuals and to limit the progress of other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]