title: Non-surgical periodontal therapy improves serum levels of C-reactive protein and edematous states in female patients with idiopathic edema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between periodontal disease and systemic disease is revealing new and exciting associations. Idiopathic edema presents a clinical syndrome with obscure pathophysiology. The present study investigates whether non-surgical periodontal therapy is beneficial in patients who are not responding to conventional treatment of idiopathic edema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with idiopathic edema were allocated to intervention and control groups. All the subjects were assessed for systemic (body weight, body mass index, visual scale of edema, serum C-reactive protein, and serum albumin) and periodontal (plaque index, calculus index, and gingival index) parameters. Non-surgical periodontal therapy, including oral hygiene instructions, scaling and root planing, and systemic antibiotic therapy, was provided in the intervention group. Both groups were reevaluated after 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups were comparable at baseline. All parameters, except serum albumin, showed significant improvement after periodontal therapy. The control group showed further worsening of these parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that sources for systemic inflammation, such as periodontal disease, could affect the pathogenesis of idiopathic edema. Successful elimination of such covert sources of inflammation leads to a clinical benefit in patients who are distressed by this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College, Calicut, Kerala, India. drrosammajoseph@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rosamma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Narayan
authors.forename: Rajaratnam
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: Sreelatha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melemadathil
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D010512:Periodontal Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein