Aim: To provide insight on the association between periodontitis and atherosclerosis by determining the plasma levels of a series of risk markers for cardiovascular disease in cases with periodontitis. Materials and method: The study was conducted on 29 subjects without diagnosed systemic diseases (17 with severe periodontitis and 12 with healthy periodontium). Fasting blood plasma was analysed for glucose, lipids and markers of systemic inflammation (C-Reactive protein and fibrinogen). The associations between periodontitis and the various substances analysed in plasma were calculated using a multivariate logistic regression model, which compensated for age, gender,
smoking and body mass index. Results and discussion: Regression analyses revealed a significant association between periodontitis and the high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) [odds ratio (OR) 4.0, confidence interval (CI) 1.4 11.4] and fibrinogen (OR 8.7, CI 2.6 28.4). Conclusions: Severe periodontitis was associated with increased levels of CRP, glucose and fibrinogen.
- atherosclerosis
- inflammation
- periodontitis
- RISK FACTORS