title: Plasmatic NT-proBNP concentrations in patients with coexistent periodontal disease and congestive heart failure: pilot studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The presented pilot study was conducted in order to evaluate dynamic fluctuations of blood inflammation markers among patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and coexistent periodontitis (PD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study hypothesis stated that elimination of chronic inflammation caused by PD has a significant impact on inflammation markers and, secondarily, also on the course and prognosis of CHF. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) markers were assessed due to their proven diagnostic significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were collected at the time of CHF patients' admission to the clinical ward (I examination) and then after 3-9 months (average six months) after periodontal treatment completion (II examination). With antibiotic cover, basic periodontal parameters (such as CAL, PD, PI, BOP) were evaluated, scaling and root-planning were performed, and orthopantomogram X-rays were conducted. Patients received instructions about domestic oral hygiene procedures. Measurements were repeated during a second examination of blood samples. Obtained results were compared and statistically analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial outcome of the study confirmed the hypothesis that maintaining good and complex oral hygiene has an essential impact on blood concentration of NT-proBNP and TNF-α markers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exploration of possibilities considering medical help and treatment optimisation seems to be evident also according to improvement of prognosis, therapy effectiveness, and patient comfort. Foregoing conclusions about biomarkers are, according to authors' best knowledge, the first such results reported in medical literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Disease, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. mczerniuk@o2.pl.
authors.forename: Maciej R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Czerniuk
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bartoszewicz
authors.forename: Krzysztof J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Filipiak
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dudzik-Niewiadomska
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pilecki
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Górska
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
keywords: NT-proBNP; congestive heart failure; inflammatory response; periodontal disease