Abstract

Evidence for a potential link between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease (CHD) has accumulated in recent years. C-reactive protein is potential marker of cardiovascular risk and associated with periodontal disease. CRP levels were analyzed in 26 periodontitis patients and 23 healthy controls along with hemoglobin, red blood cell count (RBC), leukocyte cell count (total and differential WBC), platelet count. Total WBC, neutrophil and platelet counts and CRP levels were raised significantly in periodontitis patients as compared to controls (p<0.01) while RBC count and hemoglobin were significantly lowered in periodontitis as compared to controls (p<0.01). These findings suggest an important role of CRP in development of periodontitis. Routinely screening for CRP in periodontitis patients might be an important tool to prevent heart disease.

Key words: C-reactive protein, WBC, RBC, thrombocyte, periodontitis, coronary heart disease.