The effect of non-surgical therapy on C reactive protein and IL-6 serum levels in patients with periodontal disease and atherosclerosis

During the last years, a large number of epidemiologic studies indicated that subjects with periodontitis presented a high risk for cardio-vascular diseases. Irrespective of the described mechanisms, the systemic inflammation is the main explanation for the relationship between the chronic infection and atherosclerosis. This study proposes an assessment of the periodontal non-surgical therapy effect on the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with atherosclerosis and periodontal disease. The periodontal status of 64 patients was evaluated and the serum levels of CRP, IL-6 and the lipid profile were determined. Afterwards, nonsurgical periodontal therapy was conducted and the patients were re-assessed after 3 months. Reduced values for the periodontal parameters and serum levels of CRP and IL-6 were achieved Subjects with an improved periodontal status after 3 months also presented low levels of CRP and IL-6, after the correction of other co-factors. A relationship between the non-surgical periodontal therapy and the systemic parameters was observed. Therefore, inter-disciplinary protocols can emerge, with a complex approach of the patient with periodontal disease and risk for atherosclerosis. After the non-surgical periodontal therapy, the values of periodontal parameters and the levels of CRP and IL-6 have improved.