Cardiovascular disease parameters in periodontitis.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Oral Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Growing evidence links oral health to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
• Chronic periodontitis is a prevalent oral condition with potential systemic implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between chronic periodontitis and cardiovascular risk markers.
• To compare lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress indicators in periodontitis patients versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 40 periodontitis patients and 40 matched healthy controls.
• Measurements included lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), cytokines (IL-6, IL-8), antibodies against oxidized LDL, TBARS, WBC counts, and LDL refractive index.

Main Results:

• Periodontitis patients showed significantly higher triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol (P=0.002, P=0.0126).
• Elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8, anti-oxidized LDL antibodies, leukocytes, and neutrophils were observed in periodontitis patients (P<0.05).
• Lipid peroxide levels and LDL refractive index differed between groups, suggesting altered LDL characteristics.

Conclusions:

• The findings confirm and strengthen the association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease risk.
• Periodontitis is associated with adverse changes in lipid metabolism and increased systemic inflammation, contributing to cardiovascular risk.