SEVERE CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN LEVELS

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the relationship between chronic periodontitis and C-reactive protein (CRP), taking certain associated factors into consideration. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 75 adults of both sexes. After the participants had been interviewed, they underwent physical and dental examinations and blood collection. CRP levels were evaluated by means of nephelometry. A periodontal clinical examination was conducted by trained examiners and the diagnosis of chronic periodontitis was established when at least 30% of the individual’s teeth presented clinical attachment loss ≥ 5 mm. The analysis procedures consisted of descriptive analysis and linear regression. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in CRP levels between the groups with and without periodontitis. The median CRP level in the group with periodontitis was 2.3 mg/l (25-75% interquartile range, IQR = 0.74-5.4) and in the group without periodontitis, 1.8 mg/l (25-75% IQR = 0.79-4.54) (p = 0.417). Log CRP was significantly correlated only with the individual’s body mass index (BMI). The main findings from this study indicate that there is no association between severe chronic periodontitis and CRP, and factors like BMI need to be analyzed carefully in studies on this topic.