Serum lipids modify periodontal infection - C-reactive protein association.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether low-grade inflammation-related factors such as serum low-density (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) modify the association between periodontal infection and C-reactive protein.


METHODS
This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey, which consisted of dentate, non-diabetic, non-rheumatic subjects who were 30-49 years old (n = 2710). The extent of periodontal infection was measured by means of the number of teeth with periodontal pocket ≥4 mm and teeth with periodontal pocket ≥6 mm and systemic inflammation using high sensitive C-reactive protein.


RESULTS
The extent of periodontal infection was associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein among those subjects whose HDL-C value was below the median value of 1.3 mmol/l or LDL-C above the median value of 3.4 mmol/l. Among those with HDL-C ≥ 1.3 mmol/l or LDL-C ≤ 3.4 mmol/l, the association between periodontal infection and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein was practically non-existent.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the relation of periodontal infection to the systemic inflammatory condition is more complicated than previously presumed. The findings of this study suggest that the possible systemic effect of periodontal infection is dependent on serum lipid composition.
Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland.
Anniina
A
Haro
Tuomas
T
Saxlin
Anna-Liisa
AL
Suominen
Pekka
P
Ylöstalo
Jaana
J
Leiviskä
Tellervo
T
Tervonen
Matti
M
Knuuttila
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062072:Patient Acuity; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012016:Reference Values
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002097:C-Reactive Protein