Short-term effects of periodontal therapy as an adjunct to anti-lipemic treatment

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the effect of improved periodontal health following periodontal treatment on metabolic lipid control of patients on anti-lipemic treatment. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 20 patients aged 34-62 years with diagnoses of hyperlipidemia and chronic periodontitis. All patients used statin to treat their elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Blood samples were obtained for measurement of serum lipids, fasting plasma glucose, and high sensitive C-reactive protein. Periodontal parameters, including plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and percentage of bleeding on probing, were evaluated. All parameters were assessed in each subject at baseline, after 3 months as a control (at the time of periodontal treatment), and 3 months after the non-surgical periodontal treatment that included scaling and root planning. Results: All lipid parameters decreased after the periodontal treatment, but only the decreases in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels reached statistical significance compared to baseline (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively). Conclusion: Improved periodontal health may influence metabolic control of hyperlipidemia and could be considered as an adjunct to the standard measures of hyperlipidemic patient care.