Impact of chronic periodontitis on quality-of-life and on the level of blood metabolic markers

CONTEXT: Despite the recognition that systemic factors can alter the risk to the chronic periodontitis (CP), only recently has evidence begun to emerge, still under investigation, that infections of the oral cavity are related with low quality-of-life (QoL) and are able to influence the occurrence and severity of certain conditions and systemic diseases. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CP on the QoL and on the metabolic systemic condition of CP patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: Cross–sectional, case-controlled, age- and gender-matched study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Quality-of-life assessment (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue), periodontal examinations and blood tests were obtained from 20 CP patients and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: parametric paired t-test for numerical data (metabolic parameters) and nonparametric paired Wilcoxon signed rank test to compare the QoL ordinal data of both groups. Statistical significance was determined at the 0.05 level. RESULTS: Healthy controls had fewer negative impacts in all QoL areas studied. CP patients showed higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and uric acid compared with the HC. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic periodontitis negatively affected the overall well-being and systemic condition of a group of Brazilian individuals.