Summary
The systemic response to periodontal disease was analyzed in the cross-sectional Study
of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). The completed data of 2,738 subjects aged 20 to 59
years were used for logistic regression analysis with an increased plasma fibrinogen
level (≥3.25 g/L according to Clauss) as the dependent variable. Participants were
divided into four groups according to the number of periodontal pockets ≥ 4mm (0,
1-7, 8-14, ≥15 pocketing). An additional group comprised the 52 edentulous subjects.
The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of ≥15 periodontal pockets for increased plasma fibrinogen
levels was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.25-2.83). Edentulism per se was not associated with increased
plasma fibrinogen levels but was contained in a two-way interaction with the number
of cigarettes/day in current smokers (p = 0.031). For edentulous nonsmokers the adjusted
OR was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.51-2.39). Furthermore, body mass index, the interaction between
gender and body mass index, serum LDL cholesterol, medication, the interaction between
LDL cholesterol and medication, aspirin, smoking, school education, chronic bronchitis,
and the interaction between alcohol consumption and chronic gastritis were associated
with plasma fibrinogen levels. Our results show that periodontal disease but not edentulism
per se is associated with an increased plasma fibrinogen level.
Keywords
Fibrinogen - periodontal disease - Study of Health in Pomerania - SHIP