Hyperlipidemia in patients with periodontitis

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a bacterial infection, which has been classified as a local chronic inflammation. This, as well as cardiovascular disease, may share common risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, behavioral factors, aging, and male gender. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between hyperlipidemia and periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The levels of plasma lipids in 40 subjects with periodontitis (CPITN score III or IV, pocket depth 4 mm) with mean age 32.3 +/-1.2 years were measured and compared with those obtained from 40 age and sex matched controls. Both groups were systemically healthy according to their medical history. RESULTS: Total cholesterol (CHL) and triglycerides (TG) were significantly higher in the case group (P=0.045 and P=0.016, respectively). HDL and LDL cholesterols were higher in patients but did not have any significant differences with controls. The frequency of persons with pathologic values of TG and CHL were significantly higher in cases compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed hyperlipidemia may be associated with periodontitis in healthy people. However, it is unclear whether periodontitis causes an increase in levels of serum lipids or hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for both periodontitis and cardiovascular disease.