A study to evaluate the relationship between periodontitis, cardiovascular disease and serum lipid levels

The search for cellular mechanisms linking periodontitis to changes in systemic health has resulted in the evolution of a new area of lipid research. So far the causality and possible pathways of the association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease is obscure.

A total of 120 subjects were included in the study with 30 subjects in each of the following groups: healthy group (A), chronic periodontitis group (B), coronary heart disease (CHD + periodontitis group) (C) and CHD - periodontitis group (D). All subjects underwent oral examination and their Gingival Index, Oral Hygiene Index, Periodontal Disease Index scores and attachment loss were recorded. Two millilitres of fasting venous blood sample was drawn and tested for the level of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride level.

The results revealed no significant difference with respect to the lipid profile levels between the four groups. Interpreting the results of the study, periodontal disease did not cause an increase in total CHL, LDL or triglyceride levels or a decrease in the HDL levels in an otherwise systemically healthy individual or in a CHD patient. Periodontitis in a CHD patient did not seem to exacerbate the destruction of periodontal tissue. Higher triglyceride levels did not have any correlation with the severity of attachment loss in a periodontitis subject.