Serum antibodies to periodontal pathogens and markers of systemic inflammation

We examined the relationship between serum antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and plasma fibrinogen and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in a nationally representative sample.

Data on 2,973 participants aged 40 years and older from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, second phase (1991-1994) were used. Three logistic regression models adjusted for gender, race, educational attainment, diabetes, cigarette smoking, body mass index (BMI), and other inflammatory conditions were constructed, based on three different assumptions: (A) no access to dental/periodontal data; (B) knowledge of number of teeth present but not of clinical periodontal status; and (C) knowledge of both dental and clinical periodontal status.

High fibrinogen (>400 mg/dl) was unrelated to P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans antibodies in all models. High CRP (>0.4 mg/dl) was related to high antibody levels to P. gingivalis in models A [odds ratios (OR) 1.63, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.15-2.32], B (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.18-2.41), and C (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.12-2.23). In model C, high CRP was related to >30% extent of attachment loss of >or=3 mm (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.19-2.08). Antibodies to A. actinomycetemcomitans were not associated with high CRP levels in any model.

High serum titre to P. gingivalis and the presence of periodontal disease are independently related to high CRP levels.