The effects of periodontal therapy on C-reactive protein and periodontal pathogens in periodontitis patients

Abstract

Objective: Recent epidemiological studies have shown that individuals with periodontitis have significantly increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. Although the mechanism responsible for the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular events is not fully understood, it is hypothesized that the removal of infection and inflammatory burden of periodontitis by therapy would be accompanied by a decrease in levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein and a decreased risk of coronary heart disease. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the presence of chronic periodontitis and periodontal pathogens and subsequent periodontal treatment could influence the serum levels of C-reactive protein in a Serbian cohort. Material and Methods: Fifty adults with moderate to severe periodontitis who underwent complete mouth disinfection were evaluated to determine if periodontal therapy would result in decreased periodontal infammation and lower serum levels of an inflammatory marker. Subjects underwent measuring of periodontal disease severity and serum C-reactive protein, and periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) at the time of the baseline visit and again 6 and 12 months after treatment. Serum levels CRP were also obtained from 25 subjects without periodontitis in a control group. Results: The levels of CRP in the serum seemed not to be lower than those reported in other population in Western European countries. There were significant changes in clinical periodontal values, CRP levels and presence of periodontal pathogens when baseline values were compared to those taken after periodontal treatment completion. Conclusion: The obtained results confirm the hypothesis that periodontal therapy may contribute to elimination of periodontal inflammation and periodontal pathogens, and reduce serum level of CRP. Periodontitis may contribute to the systemic inflammatory burden of affected individuals since it was shown that periodontal therapy may decrease presence of periodontal pathogens and inflammatory markers.