The impact of periodontal treatment on inflammatory markers and cellular parameters associated with atherosclerosis in patients after myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze whether periodontal treatment affects the cardiovascular risk profile of patients after myocardial infarction (MI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 30 patients with chronic periodontitis (ChP). Sociodemographic and medical variables were collected. Patients were provided with scaling and root planing (SRP) 3 months after MI (1(st) visit). Periodontal examination and blood tests were performed immediately before SRP, then 1 month and 6 months after treatment (2(nd) and 3(rd) visit, respectively). RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease in blood hsCRP concentration and a decrease in the number of white blood cells (WBC) and neutrophils between the first and the second visit were observed. At 6 months after SRP, the mean platelet volume (MPV) had increased with respect to the value at 1 month after treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that the associations between: 1) change in LDL-C concentration and change in approximal plaque index value (b = –0.546, p = 0.005); 2) change in the number of monocytes and change in the plaque index value (b = 0.616, p = 0.01); 3) change in MPV and change in probing pocket depth (b = 0.567, p = 0.018) are all independent of the classic cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results indicate the existence of a relationship between the state of periodontal tissues on one hand and mediators of atherosclerosis and the number of immunologically competent cells on the other hand.