Effect of periodontal treatment on serum C-reactive protein level in obese and normal-weight women affected with chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of conventional periodontal therapy on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level and periodontal status in obese and normal-weight chronic periodontitis patients.

METHODS: This is a controlled clinical trial conducted at the King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between December 2009 and March 2011. A total of 40 women affected with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis were selected (20 obese [test group] and 20 normal-weight [control]). Smokers, pregnant women, and subjects with any systemic disease were excluded. Serum CRP level and periodontal parameters, including clinical attachment level, probing depth, bleeding on probing and plaque scores were assessed at baseline, and 2 months after non-surgical periodontal treatment.

RESULTS: Periodontal therapy was effective in reducing gingival inflammation, as well as serum CRP level in the total sample and within each group. The pre-treatment mean level of serum CRP was 0.78 (±0.51) and post- treatment was 0.55 (±0.41) mg/l in the total sample (p=0.001). A tendency was observed toward a better systemic response to treatment in normal-weight compared to obese women, however, it was not statistically significant (the mean changes in CRP levels after therapy were 0.28 [±0.43] and 0.19 [±0.32] mg/l).

CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal treatment is effective in reducing systemic inflammation as measured by serum CRP level, and obesity does not have a major negative impact on response to periodontal therapy.