Association between chronic periodontitis and serum lipid levels.

Regarding the high prevalence of hyperlipidaemia, which is one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular disease, and uncertain reports about the relation between periodontal disease and serum lipid profile, this study was conducted to assess this relation. The historical cohort study was conducted on 52 cases including 26 persons with chronic periodontitis as case group, and 26 healthy subjects as control group. Both groups had the same age and weight ranges, sex, and diet, without any periodontal treatment history in the past six months, underling systemic disease such as diabetes, anti-hyperlipidemic drugs or active tobacco smoking history. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Triglyceride (TG) and Total Cholesterol (CHOL) were measured by direct enzymatic assay. TG level was 128.4 +/- 71.1 mg/dl in control group and 165.2 +/- 83.7 in case group indicating a significantly higher level in case group (P<0.05). In control group, 30.8 percent and in case group, 61.5 percent had abnormal serum cholesterol levels, which presents a significantly higher level in case group (P<0.03). Other serum level indices did not show any significant difference. Although it seems that patients with chronic periodontal disease are more susceptible to hyperlipidemia, it is doubtful that the former causes an increase in serum lipid levels, so we suggest studying the effects of treating chronic periodontitis on serum lipid level.