A study in the Journal of Periodontology found that if a blood test detected certain "red flags," the person also had serious symptoms of periodontal diseases...

Blood Test May Reveal Systemic Factors That Relate to Periodontal Disease, Especially in Men

A study in the Journal of Periodontology found that if a blood test detected certain "red flags," the person also had serious symptoms of periodontal diseases.

CHICAGO – January 21, 2004 – A blood test is often given during a medical checkup to reveal indicators of general health conditions. In a recent study reported in the December Journal of Periodontology (JOP), Japanese researchers found that a blood test may also reveal indicators of periodontal diseases. Study Abstract *

Researchers examined and measured the oral health of 7,452 men and women, and tested their blood for 37 items used in general blood tests. Some of the items tested for in the blood include cholesterol and C-reactive protein, commonly linked to heart disease; and diabetes. The results of the blood tests were compared against the oral health scores of the participants.

“In this study we found that generally if the blood was “healthy,” the oral health was also healthy. Conversely, if the blood test detected certain “red flags,” the person also had serious symptoms of periodontal diseases,” said Dr. Yuko Takami, Department of Preventive Dentistry and Dental Public Health, School of Dentistry, AichiGakuin University, Japan. “We also found that males were reported to have more serious symptoms of periodontal diseases than females of the same age group,”

“These findings mean that in the future when patients visit their medical doctors for a routine check-up and annual blood work, they may also be referred to a periodontist for a periodontal screening if the blood indicates systemic abnormalities,” said Michael P. Rethman, D.D.S., M.S., and president of the American Academy of Periodontology.

The only item from the blood test that showed a significant relationship with periodontal diseases in women was CRP. A specific reason could not be pinpointed as to why men were reported to have more serious symptoms of periodontal diseases than women. One reason could be that men and women have different endocrine situations, and periodontal diseases are influenced by endocrine conditions.

“With each study that looks at the association between systemic and periodontal diseases, we learn more about the CRP correlation,” said Rethman. “Another study in this JOP issue reinforces previous studies indicating a relationship between CRP elevation and periodontitis.” (Study Abstract*)

In a study from the August JOP, CRP values were compared before and after treatment. Researchers found that the CRP values significantly decreased after periodontal treatment. (Study Abstract*)

“Since the treatment of periodontitis in this study appears to be effective in reducing levels of CRP, patients at risk for coronary heart disease may want to visit a periodontist to control their periodontitis,” said Rethman.

Blood Test Values and CPI Scores in Medical Checkup Recipient Study Findings

This study investigated correlations between the blood test values of people who had general medical checkups and their community periodontal index score (CPI). CPI represents periodontal disease indicators in order to clarify how periodontal diseases relate to systemic conditions. The study included 7,452 people and divided them by age and gender. CPI scores were listed as 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 to indicate, respectively, the following conditions: healthy, bleeding after probing, dental calculus detected by probing, 4- to 5-mm deep pockets and >6-mm deep pockets. A total of 37 items were tested in the blood, some of which include C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), white blood count (WBC) and blood sugar (BS).>

Comparisons were then made between blood test values higher than the standard range and the standard values for CPI scores of 3 and 4.>

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Ask Your Periodontist About Periodontal Disease & Heart Disease are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at 312/573-3242.

* EDITOR'S NOTE: Representatives of the media may contact the AAP Public Affairs Department to receive copies of the following Journal of Periodontology reports:

Abstracts of Journal of Periodontology articles are available to the public online. Full-text of studies may be accessed by AAP members and Journal subscribers or purchased online for $20.

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