Association between periodontitis and risk markers for cardiovascular disease

Recent studies have shown that periodontitis seems to modify the blood concentration of a range of cell types and biochemical substances, which are considered risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study aims to evaluate the association between periodontitis and risk markers for cardiovascular disease. In the Study I, 100 patients apparently healthy were examined, being 66 patients diagnosed with severe chronic periodontitis and 34 control patients without periodontal disease. Periodontal examinations and blood samples were performed. The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were obtained. In the Study II, 66 patients participating in the Study I, diagnosed with chronic periodontitis, were randomly submitted to immediate periodontal treatment (test group, n=33) or delayed periodontal treatment (control group, n=33). The data collected in Study I were recorded as pre-treatment (T0). Further periodontal and laboratory examinations were performed in the period of 2 months (T2) and 6 months (T6) after the initial examination (control group) or completion of periodontal treatment (Test Group). The data collected were analyzed using statistical tests. The results demonstrated that patients with chronic periodontitis when compared with the control group showed significantly higher values in the total count of red blood cells (p<0.001), hemoglobin (p<0.001), hematocrit (p<0.001), platelet count (p=0.019), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, p<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP, p<0.001). The levels of HDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in patients with chronic periodontitis when compared with the control group (p<0.001). The layers of the intima-media wall of the left carotid artery was significantly thicker in patients with chronic periodontitis when compared with the control group (p=0.049). Individuals with chronic periodontitis also had 3.26 times more likely to have metabolic syndrome than individuals who do not have...(AU)