Objective: Periodontal disease (PD) has been suggested as having an etiological or modulator role in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Acute-phase reactans; C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen, which are known as cardiovascular risk factors, are also related to inflammatory conditions such as PD. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between PD and other cardiovascular risk factors as well as acute-phase reactants in severe CVD. Methods: A total of fifty patients with a mean age of 51.4±7.6, 33 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 17 with chronic CVD, were included in this study. Blood samples were taken for measurements of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), CRP and fibrinogen. All patients completed a medical questionnaire and were clinically examined. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded. PD was quantified using the percentage of periodontal sites with a PPD of at least 4mm. Patients were categorized into two levels; those with at least 30% of sites with PPD³4mm and those with less than 30%. Results: This study indicates that patients having 30% or more of sites with PPD³4mm had significantly elevated levels of CRP (P<0.01), but fibrinogen levels were not different (P>0.05). Age, smoking status, incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, AMI, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, that affect CRP level were not different between patients that had less than 30% of sites with PPD³4mm and those that had 30% or more of sites with PPD³4mm. The values of PI, GI, CAL were not statistically different between patients. Conclusion: In severe cardiovascular diseases with or without acute myocardial infarction, elevated serum CRP levels are considered to be associated with extensive periodontal disease.

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