The Markers of Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis: Leukocytes, C-reactive Protein and Fibrinogen

Background: Periodontitis has been identified as potential risk factors for systemic pathologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontitis and systemic inflammatory markers, as well as, if there is a relation to severity of periodontitis. Methodology: Periodontal examinations and serum markers of inflammation levels mesaurements were performed in 50 patients. The patients with moderate periodontitis had low CAL and PD 5mm. The clinical parameters of periodontitis were determined among all subjects. The LEU, CRP, and FIB for the present investigation were obtained from peripheral venous blood patients from all groups. Findings: In both moderate and severe periodontitis, the results indicated that the total leukocytes count and neutrophils had a significantly higher count (p < 0.001) among the groups with periodontitis but that there was no significance in the lymphocytes counts. The results also show a significant relation between indicators of poor periodontal status and increased levels CRP and fibrinogen. Conclusion: Periodontitis is associated with an enhanced inflammatory response expressed by higher levels of inflammatory markers. The extent of increase in these marker levels in periodontitis patients depends of severity of the disease. Significance: The association of periodontitis with WBC, CRP and fibrinogen levels appears to be contributing factors for CVD and might be a possible intermediate pathway in this association.