A Comparative evaluation of serum CRP levels in chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients before and after non-surgical periodontal therapy- a clinical study

Aims and Objectives: C-reactive protein is an acute-phase-reactant primarily produced by the liver in response to infection or trauma. Recent studies have demonstrated a correlation between periodontitis and elevated CRP levels. This study aims to relate the serum-CRP level in chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients, before and after periodontal treatment, with healthy controls. Materials and Method:  A case-control clinical study was conducted with a total of 75 systemically healthy subjects, where 25 subjects were selected in each groups: Group I, Healthy control subjects; Group II, generalized chronic periodontitis patients, and Group III, generalized aggressive periodontitis patients. Serum-CRP levels were quantified by using turbidimetric immunoassay at baseline and 3month post-treatment. Kit used was “TURBILYTE-CRP” (Tulip Diagnostics, Goa, India). In the treatment phase, patients received single visit nonsurgical periodontal treatment, completed within 24hrs under LA for GCP & GAP group. Results: Mean serum CRP levels were significantly higher in both GCP and GAP groups as compared to the control group at baseline. On comparing the clinical parameters at 3 months post-treatment for GCP & GAP group with control group values, the mean score of serum CRP levels for the GAP group was statistically significant (P<0.001) in comparison to the GCP group, which in turn was statistically significant as compared to control group. Conclusion: The present study indicates a positive correlation between CRP and periodontal disease severity with particular concern in younger individuals, where it could be a possible underlying pathway in the association between periodontal disease and risk for cardiovascular disease in periodontitis patients.