Effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment on C-reactive protein levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Objective: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been implicated as a possible mediator of the association between periodontitis and several systemic diseases. This study evaluated the impact of nonsurgical periodontal treatment on the serum levels of CRP in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis.

Methods: A total of 77 CKD patients on hemodialysis were included in this study. At baseline, periodontal examination was assessed for all the patients, and chronic periodontitis was defined through clinical attachment level and probing pocket depth, according to the American Association of Periodontology. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment was performed and serum levels of CRP were evaluated at baseline and 8 weeks after periodontal treatment.

Results: Periodontal treatment resulted in significant reductions in CRP levels (p < 0.001). The difference between pre- and posttreatment CRP concentrations did not show any significant relationship with the severity of periodontitis.

Conclusions: Periodontitis is an important source of systemic inflammation in CKD patients. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment can effectively reduce the serum level of CRP in these patients.