Search

Copyright of Universitas Odontológica is the property of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: It is necessary to evaluate the relation between periodontal disease (PD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) through the levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein, in order to establish the mechanisms of such association. Objective: To determine the possible correlation between PD and AMI, taking as a parameter increasing levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP) in a Colombian population. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. The sample consisted of 82 patients (41 in the case group and 41 in the control group). Data came from calibrated laboratory tests (lipid profile, blood glucose, and HsCRP) and periodontal probing. Inclusion criteria were patients with AMI in the last 72 hours (according to ESC/ACC parameters, 2001) for the case group and patients without AMI (control group), having at least 10 teeth in mouth. Results: All variables analyzed tended to behave as risk factors by raising HsCRP levels (p<0.05). Therefore, patients with higher HsCRP have an increased risk of AMI. Conclusion: HsCRP levels increase in infectious and inflammatory processes, which is associated with PD, HsCRP, and AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]