Evaluation of the C-reactive protein serum levels in periodontitis patients with or without atherosclerosis – A clinical study

Background: Periodontitis is a bacterial infection that can originate in the gums and progress to damage the bone and other structures supporting the teeth. One indicator of systemic inflammation caused by various triggers such as injuries, infections, and hypoxia is the highly potent C-reactive protein (CRP). Atherosclerosis is a progressive arterial disease that is characterized by the thickening of subintimal layers in muscular and elastic arteries of intermediate-to-large size due to the accumulation of athermanous plaque. Therefore, our objective in this research is to evaluate CRP levels in individuals with periodontitis, with or without atherosclerosis, after diagnosis. It is important to determine if there is a correlation between periodontitis, a common inflammatory condition of the gums, and elevated CRP levels, which could potentially contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Methodology: The Department of Periodontics and Implantology at Bhabha College of Dental Sciences conducted the study, which involved the random assignment of 60 participants of both sexes, aged between 30 and 60 years, using a cross-sectional design. The participants were selected from the Department of Periodontics and Implantology, and venous blood samples were taken before and after nonsurgical periodontal treatment to evaluate serum CRP and complete blood count levels. Results: Higher blood CRP levels were seen in individuals with chronic periodontitis, regardless of the presence or absence of atherosclerosis. When comparing the groups of people with and without atherosclerosis and chronic periodontitis, the rise in blood CRP levels was almost double in the group with atherosclerosis. To prevent the progression of atherosclerotic lesions, chronic periodontitis must be treated aggressively. Conclusion: Chronic periodontitis, with or without atherosclerosis, leads to high CRP levels in the blood. Those with both conditions have almost twice the CRP levels compared to those without atherosclerosis. Proper treatment is necessary due to chronic periodontitis’ association with atherosclerotic lesions.