C-reactive protein associated with periodontitis in a Thai population

Aim: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been implicated as a possible mediator of the association between periodontitis and several systemic diseases. Previous studies suggest an association between increased CRP levels and periodontitis predominantly in Caucasians. This study evaluated the associations of chronic periodontitis and Porphyromonas gingivalis with CRP in systemically healthy Thai adults. Material and Methods: Serum high-sensitivity CRP was measured in 21 generalized periodontitis, 62 localized periodontitis, and 38 periodontally healthy control subjects. P. gingivalis in subgingival plaque samples was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Overall, these subjects had a median CRP level lower than that reported in the western populations. Subjects with generalized periodontitis and localized periodontitis had higher median CRP levels than controls (1.78 and 0.65 mg/l versus 0.25 mg/l, p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression showed that log CRP levels were increased in subjects with generalized periodontitis (p < 0.01) and localized periodontitis (p = 0.03) compared with the controls, adjusted for age, body mass index and smoking. Presence of P. gingivalis was also independently associated with elevated log CRP levels (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Periodontitis and subgingival P. gingivalis are associated with increased CRP levels. These findings suggest that periodontal infection may contribute to systemic inflammatory burden in otherwise healthy individuals.