Researchers have linked periodontitis and various diseases or systemic conditions, including diabetes.8 In periodontitis, there is the production of proinflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interferon-gamma, and high levels of acute-phase proteins, such as c-reactive protein increase. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is periodontitis.