Impact of chronic periodontitis on quality-of-life and on the level of blood metabolic markers.

BACKGROUND

Despite the recognition that systemic factors can alter the risk to the chronic periodontitis (CP), only recently has evidence begun to emerge, still under investigation, that infections of the oral cavity are related with low quality-of-life (QoL) and are able to influence the occurrence and severity of certain conditions and systemic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CP on the QoL and on the metabolic systemic condition of CP patients.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, case-controlled, age- and gender-matched study.

METHODS

Quality-of-life assessment (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue), periodontal examinations and blood tests were obtained from 20 CP patients and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC).

METHODS

parametric paired t-test for numerical data (metabolic parameters) and nonparametric paired Wilcoxon signed rank test to compare the QoL ordinal data of both groups. Statistical significance was determined at the 0.05 level.

RESULTS

Healthy controls had fewer negative impacts in all QoL areas studied. CP patients showed higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and uric acid compared with the HC.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic periodontitis negatively affected the overall well-being and systemic condition of a group of Brazilian individuals.