Evaluation of Association between CRP Levels in Chronic Periodontitis patients and Chronic Periodontitis with Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) levels increases to hundreds of mg/L within hours following infection. Studies have shown that serum CRP levels were elevated in periodontal disease. Numerous cross-sectional studies have suggested that chronic periodontitis is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). There is evidence that periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases are linked by inflammatory factors including C‑reactive protein. The purpose of the study was to investigate the levels of CRP as a marker of inflammatory host response in the serum of chronic periodontitis patients and in patients with CVD. Materials and Methods: Study population included 75 patients; both male and female above 40 years of age were included for the study. Based on clinical (probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm) and radiolographical findings (bone loss more than 5mm from CEJ (cementoenamel junction) and presence or absence of CVD. The study population were divided into three groups of 25 each, Group I: Chronic periodontitis patients with CVD, Group II: Chronic periodontitis patients without CVD and Group III: Control (without chronic periodontitis and CVD). The control group had PD ≤ 3 mm and no CVD. Venous blood was collected from the patients and C‑reactive protein levels were analyzed by latex slide agglutination method using commercially available kit with lower detection limit of 10 mg/L. Results: On comparison, CRP values showed significant difference from Group I to III. CRP level was highly significant in Group I when compared with Group II and Group III. Conclusion: From this study we can conclude that chronic periodontitis patients, with increased CRP levels are more prone to CVD. Key words: Periodontitis, C-reactive protein, Cardiovascular disease, Reactant proteins, Atherosclerosis, Inflammatory cytokines.