Effect of treating periodontitis on C-reactive protein levels: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Periodontitis is associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen and it may be a coronary heart disease risk factor. We wanted to study if treatment of periodontitis can decrease the levels of these inflammatory markers.


METHODS
C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels were measured in 35 patients (21 M, 14 F, mean age 50 years) with adult periodontitis, before and after treatment.


RESULTS
The median baseline C-reactive protein level in the patients was 1.05 mg/l and it decreased to 0.7 mg/l (p = 0.05) after periodontal treatment. Of the 30 patients who could be included in the analyses, 24 patients had a baseline level below 2 mg/l (the 95th percentile limit in Finland); 6 patients had levels higher than this. Elevation of the baseline C-reactive protein level or the magnitude of its decrease were not associated with severe form of periodontitis. The decrease in C-reactive protein levels was at least 50 % in 4/6 of those with elevated baseline levels, as compared with 3/24 of the rest of the patients (p = 0.016). No corresponding effect was observed in fibrinogen levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Periodontitis seems to increase C-reactive protein only in some individuals, presumably the ones reacting to it with a systemic inflammatory reaction. Periodontal treatment decreases C-reactive protein levels in these individuals and it may thus decrease their risk of coronary heart disease.
Mattila
Kimmo
K
Department of Medicine, Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Cardiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. kimmo.mattila@hus.fi
Vesanen
Marja
M
Valtonen
Ville
V
Nieminen
Markku
M
Palosuo
Timo
T
Rasi
Vesa
V
Asikainen
Sirkka
S
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects
D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein