Periodontitis is a modifier of cardiovascular disease

Chronic generalized periodontitis (CGP) can contribute to vascular atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular pathology, but the degree of diagnosis of this relationship in the clinic has not been sufficiently studied.

Purpose. To assess the diagnostic significance of the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) score in patients with CGP and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Material and methods. 35 patients aged 40 to 80 years with a combined pathology of CGP and CVD were examined. All patients were assessed for cardiac and dental status.

Results. It was found that with an increase in the serum level of hs-CRP content of more than 3 mg/l, the frequency of severe periodontitis increases sharply among patients. In the group of patients with severe periodontitis, complications (heart attack, stroke) of CVD and their unstable course are much more often determined. It was found that patients with severe periodontitis, for the most part, do not regularly visit a dentist and do not regularly take basic CVD therapy. At the same time, in the group of patients taking antihypertensive drugs with statins, the lowest values of hs-CRP were noted in the blood serum; in the same group, the lowest incidence of severe periodontitis was diagnosed.

Conclusions. Definition of hs-CRP should be introduced into the practice of an internist and dentist as a screening indicator of cardio-vascular conflict in patients with combined pathology of the cardiovascular system and periodontal diseases, in order to timely carry out preventive dental treatment and rational selection of effective cardiological agents. In addition, monitoring this indicator at the reception of a dentist-therapist or periodontist will motivate patients with severe CGP to regularly visit a dentist to improve not only the oral cavity, but also the body as a whole.