Comparative evaluation of C- reactive protein levels in pregnant patients with and without periodontitis

The present study was undertaken to assess plasma C-reactive protein levels in pregnant women with and without periodontal disease. The study was designed as a prospective cohort study involving a sample size of 45 pregnant subjects in the age of 20-40 were selected from RavindraNath Tagore Medical College and hospital with gestational age of 2-12 weeks divided into 3 groups : Control group (15 healthy non pregnant female without periodontitis; group A; study group – 15 pregnant females with periodontitis – group B) study group (15 pregnant patients without periodontitis) Group C. Periodontal disease activity was recorded at baseline for all groups using month mirror and UNC-15 periodontal probe and Russell's Index was recorded. Samples were taken for estimation of C-reactive protein levels from all groups at 2-12 weeks of gestation. CRP levels were determined using latex-agglutination-test. The results revealed a statistically significant increase in the levels of CRP in pregnant women with periodontitis. As the value of RPI increased, as increase in CRP levels also was observed. The conclusion that can be drawn from this study is "Periodontal disease in pregnant women is associated with increased CRP levels in early pregnancy. The present study provides ground work data regarding the correlation of plasma – CRP levels in pregnant women, with and without periodontal disease. Further longitudinal studies are still required to establish the exact association between elevated CRP levels in pregnancy with periodontal disease.