title: Elevated plasma homocysteine levels in chronic periodontitis: a hospital-based case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plasma homocysteine (Hcy), a novel risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has been found to be increased in inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Our study investigates the association between chronic periodontitis and plasma Hcy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case-control study involves 85 age- and sex-matched subjects with chronic periodontitis and 91 healthy controls. Patients were grouped into moderate and severe periodontitis. Plaque index, calculus component of simplified oral hygiene index, and modified gingival index were recorded. Body mass index, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein, and plasma Hcy were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Case and control groups had similar levels of fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and body mass index. The mean plasma Hcy was found to be 19.22 ± 8.27 and 10.27 ± 2.50 μmol/L for cases and controls, respectively. A significant elevation in plasma Hcy levels was observed in cases (P <0.05). No significant differences were observed in plasma Hcy levels between moderate and severe chronic periodontitis (P = 0.722).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated levels of plasma Hcy were observed in patients with chronic periodontitis. Future research should be directed on the effect of periodontal therapy on plasma Hcy levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College, Medical College Post Office, Calicut, Kerala, India. drrosammajoseph@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rosamma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Sameera G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Nath
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Joseraj
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine