title: Changes in Inflammatory Markers in Bacterial- and Nifedipine-Induced Gingival Inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory gingival enlargement is a common observation in routine dental practice. Drugs like nifedipine, used for hypertension and Porphyromonas gingivalis infection-induced gingival enlargement is of a major concern. The current study aims to identify the inflammatory response of the gingival enlargement by measuring the major inflammatory markers fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with nifedipine-induced gingival enlargement, twelve with P. gingivalis infection, and seven with both drug and bacterial infection formed the test group and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects formed the control. Gingival status was assessed, and the gingival index is noted. Fibrinogen and CRP were measured in venous blood. Results of the test and controls were compared using t-test and Pearson correlation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that the changes in the inflammatory markers were statically significant in both fibrinogen levels and the CRP. The inflammation was more pronounced in subjects exposed to the drug and bacterial infection. The gingival index was found directly correlating with both the fibrinogen and the CRP levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quantitative estimation of both fibrinogen and CRP are good markers for the quantification of inflammation and hence evaluating the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Substituting the drug and reducing the bacterial load will help in improving the outcome of the treatment and thereby reducing the risk od CHD.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Consultant (Oral Medicine and Radiology), Cochin, Dental Centre, Kakkanad, Cochin, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Anitha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Professor & Head, Department of Periodontics, Mahe Institute of Dental Sciences, Chalakkara, Mahe, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Sanil P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Professor & Head, Department of Periodontics, Al-Azhar Dental College, Thodupuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Sajil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Reader, Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Nebu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Research Scholar, Maher University, Chennai.
authors.forename: Sheena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joe
authors.affiliation: Lab Manager, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla.
authors.forename: Riju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mathew
keywords: C-reactive protein; Porphyromonas gingivalis; fibrinogen; gingival hyperplasia; gingival inflammation; gingivitis; nifedipine