Mapping the link between cardiac biomarkers and chronic periodontitis: A clinico-biochemical study

BACKGROUND: Various risk factors are coupled with atherosclerotic complications, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Periodontitis is considered one of them. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to compare and correlate the occurrences of periodontitis with serum levels of cardiac-biomarkers in patients with coronary heart-disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 70 individuals diagnosed with coronary artery diseases, 32 patients with chronic periodontitis constituted the test group, 31 without chronic periodontitis constituted the control group. Cardiac-biomarkers analyzed were Troponin T, Troponin I, Myoglobin; low density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, very LDL (VLDL), total cholesterol (TC), and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP). Periodontal characteristics were drawn from the plaque index (PI) and gingival index, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss, and periodontal inflammatory surface area (PISA). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: In order to separate any association between cardiac biomarkers and clinical parameters of periodontitis, detailed statistical analysis through independent t-test and Pearson test of correlation was done. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were seen not only in PI, PD, and PISA between both the groups (P < 0.05), but also between various cardiac parameters of test and control groups (P < 0.001). Positive relations were seen in the test group, between cardiac biomarkers such as TC, VLDL, Hs-CRP, and Troponin T with periodontal parameters such as PD and PISA. CONCLUSION: The study reveals, a strong association between periodontitis and diseases of cardiovascular nature, highlighting the need for awareness and timely medical interventions to prevent periodontitis from scaling up and interfering with the risk of cardiovascular problems.