Inflammatory Pathways and Diagnostic Strategies in Chronic Diseases

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 853

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chronic diseases—such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, respiratory disorders, oral inflammatory conditions, and certain cancers—pose long-term health challenges and represent a growing burden for healthcare systems worldwide. Increasing evidence highlights that chronic, low-grade inflammation plays a pivotal role in the initiation, progression, and complications of these conditions, providing shared molecular and cellular mechanisms that link seemingly distinct diseases.

This Special Issue “Inflammatory Pathways and Diagnostic Strategies in Chronic Diseases” aims to highlight recent developments and emerging technologies that enhance the understanding and detection of inflammation-driven processes in chronic disorders. We welcome submissions that explore novel diagnostic approaches, advances in inflammation-related biomarker discovery, and the integration of molecular profiling, imaging, and computational tools, including artificial intelligence and digital health technologies.

By emphasizing inflammation as a unifying pathophysiological mechanism, this Special Issue seeks to provide a platform for researchers and clinicians working at the intersection of basic science and clinical diagnostics to improve early detection, disease monitoring, and personalized management of chronic diseases.

Prof. Dr. Liliana-Georgeta Foia
Dr. Maria Alexandra Mârțu
Dr. Minerva Codruta Badescu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • chronic diseases
  • early diagnosis
  • non-invasive diagnosis
  • artificial intelligence application

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

26 pages, 1085 KB  
Article
Osteoimmunologic and Immune-Aging Signatures in Postmenopausal Women with Periodontitis and Low Bone Mineral Density: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Irina-Georgeta Sufaru, Maria-Alexandra Martu, Maria-Georgeta Laza, Sorina Mihaela Solomon, Ionut Luchian, Liliana Pasarin, Diana Tatarciuc and Ioana Martu
Diagnostics 2026, 16(5), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16050708 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 537
Abstract
Background/Objective: Periodontitis and osteoporosis frequently co-occur after menopause, yet the immune–bone pathways linking oral and skeletal phenotypes remain incompletely defined. This study investigated whether periodontitis severity and low bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women are associated with convergent systemic inflammaging and [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Periodontitis and osteoporosis frequently co-occur after menopause, yet the immune–bone pathways linking oral and skeletal phenotypes remain incompletely defined. This study investigated whether periodontitis severity and low bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women are associated with convergent systemic inflammaging and immunosenescence phenotypes and with a salivary RANKL/OPG imbalance. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 280 postmenopausal women were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design based on periodontal status (severe vs. no/mild) and BMD status (low vs. normal; DXA T-score). Full-mouth periodontal measurements (PD, CAL, BOP, plaque index, tooth count; stage/grade) were recorded. Salivary RANKL and OPG were quantified, and the RANKL/OPG ratio was calculated. Systemic inflammaging markers (hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) and CMV IgG were assessed, and T-cell immune-aging phenotypes were profiled by flow cytometry (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CCR7, CD28, CD57, KLRG1, PD-1, CD27). Results: Severe periodontitis and low BMD were each associated with higher salivary RANKL/OPG ratios and greater systemic inflammatory burden, with modest interaction effects. Immune-aging profiles showed higher proportions of late-differentiated CD8+ phenotypes, and CMV seropositivity was strongly associated with immunosenescence markers. Conclusions: In postmenopausal women, periodontal destruction and low BMD were aligned with osteoclastogenic and immune-aging signatures, consistent with oral–skeletal immune crosstalk. Findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal, and longitudinal observational studies are warranted to clarify temporality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inflammatory Pathways and Diagnostic Strategies in Chronic Diseases)
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