Assessment of Serum Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-6 Levels in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis and Coronary Heart Disease

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p> Objective The aim of this study was to assess whether serum cytokine levels correlate with clinical periodontal parameters in health or disease.</jats:p><jats:p> Materials and Methods Male subjects (40–60 years) with CP (n = 30), CP + CHD (n = 30), and healthy controls (n = 20) had plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) evaluated. Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</jats:p><jats:p> Results PLI, GI, PPD, and CAL were significantly higher in patients with CP + CHD compared to those with CP. Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were also significantly higher in CP + CHD compared to those with CP, with both groups also being significantly higher than controls. There was a strong correlation between IL-1β and PPD and CAL and between IL-6 and GI and CAL in the CP group and between IL-6 and GI and PPD in the CP + CHD group.</jats:p><jats:p> Conclusion The results provide further evidence that periodontitis triggers systemic inflammation. Cytokine levels in patients with periodontitis may represent a useful screening tool to identify those at greater risk of cardiovascular events.</jats:p>