title: Assessment of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and lipid levels in healthy adults and patients with coronary artery disease, with and without periodontitis--a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Various epidemiological studies have implied that local infection may increase the levels of systemic inflammatory mediators and lipid mediators, thereby promoting atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP) and lipid levels in healthy adults and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), with and without periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 subjects were included in the study and categorized into four groups of 25 subjects each, as follows: subjects with chronic periodontitis with angiographically proven CAD; nonperiodontitis subjects with angiographically proven CAD; otherwise healthy subjects with only chronic periodontitis; and systemically and orally healthy individuals. The periodontal parameters measured included plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level and marginal alveolar bone loss (which was recorded radiographically). Serum samples were collected for estimation of HsCRP, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TGs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum HsCRP levels in subjects with either CAD or chronic periodontitis were elevated two-fold compared with those of healthy individuals, whereas in subjects with both diseases (CAD plus chronic periodontitis) the levels were elevated three-fold. The serum LDL level was higher, and the serum HDL level was lower, in all the test groups compared with the healthy group. No significant difference among the groups was detected in the TG levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A persistent infection, such as chronic periodontitis, may influence changes in the systemic levels of HsCRP, LDL and HDL, which potentially have an impact on inflammation-associated atherosclerotic processes, such as CAD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, AECS Maaruti College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: K R V
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ranganath
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Naik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banu
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Nichani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: C-reactive protein; chronic periodontitis; coronary artery disease; lipids