From an article in Clinical Oral Investigations –
C-reactive protein in relation to early atherosclerosis and periodontitis
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Periodontitis may affect atherosclerosis via the chronic inflammation.
We investigated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
(hsCRP) in relation to early vascular atherosclerotic
changes in non-symptomatic subjects with and without long-term
periodontitis.
Carotid ultrasonography with calculation of common carotid
artery intima-media area (cIMA) was performed, and hsCRP and
atherosclerosis
risk factors were analysed in randomly chosen 93 patients
with periodontitis and 41 controls. The relationship between hsCRP,
cIMA and atherosclerosis risk factors was evaluated with
multiple logistic regression analysis. Women displayed lower hsCRP
(p?<?0.05) and higher serum HDL (p?<?
0.001) than men. In all patients with periodontitis, cIMA values were
higher than in controls. Periodontitis appeared to
be a major predictor for increased cIMA (odds ratio, 3.82;
95% confidence interval, 1.19-12.26). Neither of these factors
was significantly associated with hsCRP which thus appeared
not sensitive enough to be a marker for periodontitis or
atherosclerosis.
Hence, irrespective of low hsCRP levels, periodontitis
appeared to increase the risk for atherosclerosis.
