Non-surgical periodontal therapy improves serum levels of C-reactive protein and edematous states in female patients with idiopathic edema.
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.
Joseph
Rosamma
R
Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College, Calicut, Kerala, India. drrosammajoseph@gmail.com
Narayan
Vivek
V
Krishnan
Rajaratnam
R
Melemadathil
Sreelatha
S
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
D002097:C-Reactive Protein