The influence of chronic periodontitis on serum TNF-alpha, IL-6 and hs-CRP concentrations, and function of graft and survival of kidney transplant recipients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is to analyze whether chronic periodontitis (CP) influences serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations in renal transplant recipients and patients or graft survival.


BACKGROUND
CP is associated both with higher serum concentrations of cytokines and CRP and high cardiovascular risk.


METHODS
One hundred and seventeen patients with a transplanted kidney (Tx) were divided according to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) into two subgroups: TxP+: severe CP (CPITN 3-4) and TxP-: no or moderate CP (CPITN 0-2). The control group (C) consisted of 36 subjects with no kidney disease and with no or moderate CP (CPITN 0-2).


RESULTS
hs-CRP concentration was higher in TxP+ than in TxP- patients [2.0 mg/L (0.7-4.4) vs. 0.9 mg/L (0.3-1.9), p = 0.006]. There were no differences in serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 between TxP+ and TxP-. Significant positive correlation between CPITN score and hs-CRP concentration was found both in Tx and C. The hazard ratio of death was 7.17 (1.4-76.4) for TxP+ patients. CP status did not increase the risk of graft loss or doubling of serum creatinine.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe CP is associated with increased serum hs-CRP concentration in patients after kidney transplantation. Severe periodontitis seems to increase the risk of patients' death after kidney transplantation.
Blach
Anna
A
Department of Internal Diseases and Rheumatology, Silesian University School of Medicine, Katowice, Poland.
Franek
Edward
E
Witula
Artur
A
Kolonko
Aureliusz
A
Chudek
Jerzy
J
Drugacz
Jan
J
Wiecek
Andrzej
A
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein