Effect of compliance during periodontal maintenance therapy on c-reactive protein levels: a 6-year follow-up.

Aims: To longitudinally evaluate the effects of compliance during periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT) on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and its relation to periodontal status.

Materials And Methods: A subsample comprising of 30 matched pairs was taken from a previous 6-year longitudinal study under PMT. Pairs were composed of one regular (RC) and one irregular (IC) compliers, matched by age and sex. Periodontal parameters and plasma samples were collected at 3 times: T1[prior to active periodontal therapy (APT)], T2(after APT), and T3(after 6 years). CRP plasma levels were quantified using ELISA.

Results: RC presented better clinical periodontal status, lower recurrence of periodontitis (sites with PD ≥4 mm and CAL ≥3 mm, together with the persistence and/or presence of BOP and/or suppuration, during any of the subsequent recall evaluations) and significant reductions in CRP levels over time [(T1: RC = 3.64 ± 2.13 and IC = 3.92 ± 2.02 mg/L) and (T3: RC = 2.12 ± 1.39 mg/L and IC = 3.71 ± 1.82 mg/L)]. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that individuals with periodontitis recurrence presented 2.19 higher chances of presenting altered CRP levels (values ≥3 mg/L- T2 to T3) than those without periodontitis recurrence (95%CI:1.16-3.27; p = 0.017).

Conclusions: Higher CRP plasma levels were associated with higher recurrence of periodontitis and worse clinical periodontal parameters among IC when compared to RC.