title: Non-surgical periodontal therapy reduces coronary heart disease risk markers: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Periodontal disease elevates systemic inflammatory markers strongly associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on systemic C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and white blood cells in CHD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Angiographically proven CHD patients with periodontitis (n = 317) were randomized to intervention (n = 212) or control group (n = 105). Primary outcome was reduction in serum CRP levels; secondary outcomes were reductions in fibrinogen and white blood cells. Periodontal treatment included scaling, root planing and oral hygiene instructions. Periodontal and systemic parameters were assessed at baseline and at 2-month follow-up. Intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study was completed by 246 subjects (intervention group = 161; control group = 85). Significant improvements in periodontal and systemic parameters were observed in intervention group. The number of subjects with CRP > 3mg/L in intervention group decreased by 38% and in control group increased by 4%. ITT analysis gave a significant (χ(2) =4.381, p = 0.036) absolute risk reduction of 12.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In CHD patients with periodontitis, non-surgical mechanical periodontal therapy significantly reduced systemic levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and white blood cells.
authors.affiliation: University Medical & Dental College, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan. pdphr@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Syed A H
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bokhari
authors.forename: Ayyaz A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Arshad K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azhar
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanif
authors.forename: Mateen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izhar
authors.forename: Dimitris N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Tatakis
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein