Periodontal infections contribute to elevated systemic C-reactive protein level

Area of Science:

• Periodontology
• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Inflammatory Markers

Background:

• Periodontitis, a bacterial-induced inflammatory condition, is associated with systemic inflammation.
• Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) is a known predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• Previous studies suggest a link between periodontitis and elevated CRP levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma levels are elevated in periodontitis patients.
• To determine the relationship between CRP levels and the severity of periodontal disease.
• To explore the association between CRP levels and specific periodontal microflora.

Main Methods:

• Assessed CRP serum levels using radial immunodiffusion in 174 subjects (periodontitis patients and healthy controls).
• Measured clinical attachment loss, probing depths, and percentage of periodontal pocket sites >= 5 mm.
• Quantified the presence of periodontal pathogens (P.g., P.i., C.r., B.f.) using immunofluorescence microscopy.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher CRP levels were observed in periodontitis subjects compared to controls (P=0.036).
• High clinical attachment loss correlated with significantly higher mean CRP levels (4.06+/-5.55 mg/l) after adjusting for covariates (P=0.011).
• Elevated CRP levels were positively associated with the presence of periodontal pathogens (P=0.029).

Conclusions:

• Increased CRP levels in periodontitis are dependent on disease severity and influenced by age and BMI.
• Elevated CRP is associated with infections by key periodontal pathogens.
• The correlation between CRP and periodontal disease may explain the increased CVD risk observed in periodontitis patients.