Estimation of plasma levels of fibrinogen in patients with periodontitis: An intervention study

Abstract

Aims: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on plasma levels of fibrinogen in patients with chronic periodontitis and its association. Materials and Methods: Twenty otherwise healthy subjects with chronic periodontitis were recruited for this intervention study. Both clinical parameters and blood were collected at baseline and one month, three months after nonsurgical periodontal therapy (scaling, root planning, and oral hygiene instructions). Periodontal examination included PD, CAL, PI, GI, and blood; these were analyzed to determine plasma fibrinogen. The effect of treatment was assessed by paired t-test; correlation between blood and clinical parameters was assessed by Pearson’s correlation. Results: There was a significant reduction in PD, CAL, PI, and GI at one month and three months after periodontal therapy (P < 0.001); plasma fibrinogen levels significantly decreased at one month and three months after treatment (P < 0.001). Also, a significant correlation was seen between clinical parameters and fibrinogen levels at different intervals of time. Conclusion: In patients with chronic periodontitis, nonsurgical periodontal therapy significantly reduced fibrinogen levels after one month and three months and it may, thus, decrease their risk of coronary heart disease.