Physio - Pathological Relationship between Periodontal and Cardiovascular Diseases

Several recent studies have demonstrated epidemiological association between periodontal and cardiovascular diseases. Chronic periodontal lesions may be the site from which lipopolisacharides and pro-inflammatory citokines may reach the bloodstream and foster atherosclerotic plaque rupture by different mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to compare the plasma levels of established risk markers for atherosclerosis, such as lipoproteins and C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in periodontitis cases to those in healthy, non-periodontitis cases. Significant positive correlation was found between cholesterol levels and probing depths, as well as low-density lipoprotein levels and probing depths. We also found a significant negative correlation between high-density lipoprotein levels and probing depths, however not for fibrinogen and C-reactive protein.