Relationship between periodontal disease and C-reactive protein among adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study

Arch Intern Med. 2003 May 26;163(10):1172-9. doi: 10.1001/archinte.163.10.1172.

Abstract

Background: Moderately elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration is a systemic marker of inflammation and a documented risk factor for cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy persons. Unrecognized infections, such as periodontal disease, may induce an acute-phase response, elevating CRP levels. We evaluated the association between periodontal disease and CRP levels in adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study.

Methods: Oral examinations were conducted between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 1998, on 5552 ARIC participants (aged 52-74 years) from 4 US communities. Periodontal disease was quantified as the percentage of periodontal sites with pocket depth of 4 mm or more. Serum CRP concentration was quantified in milligrams per liter using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Mean (SE) CRP level was 7.6 (0.6) mg/L among people with extensive periodontal pockets (>30% of sites with pocket depth > or =4 mm), approximately one-third greater than that for people with less extensive periodontal pockets (5.7 [0.1] mg/L). In a multivariable linear regression model that controlled for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, cigarette use, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, the association of extensive periodontal pockets with CRP concentration was modified by body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters). For people with a BMI of 20, the model predicted a 2-fold difference in mean CRP concentration between periodontal pocket groups (7.5 vs 3.6 mg/L), but the difference decreased with increasing BMI and was negligible when BMI equaled 35.

Conclusions: Extensive periodontal disease and BMI are jointly associated with increased CRP levels in otherwise healthy, middle-aged adults, suggesting the need for medical and dental diagnoses when evaluating sources of acute-phase response in some patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acute-Phase Reaction / blood
  • Acute-Phase Reaction / epidemiology
  • Aged
  • Arteriosclerosis / blood
  • Arteriosclerosis / etiology
  • Body Mass Index
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Periodontal Diseases / blood*
  • Periodontal Diseases / epidemiology
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • C-Reactive Protein