Risk factors for chronic kidney diseases may include periodontal diseases, as estimated by the correlations of plasma pentraxin-3 levels: a case-control study.

backgroundPentraxins are classical mediators of inflammation and markers of acute-phase reactions. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is believed to be a true independent indicator of disease activity. It has been associated with clinical outcomes in incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) and periodontal diseases. Periodontitis is lately being considered as a risk factor for CKD. However, no data are available on elevated PTX3 in patients with CKD associated with periodontitis.

methodSixty subjects were divided into three groups (n = 20) based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and periodontal parameters: healthy (group-1), CKD (group-2), and CKD with periodontitis (group-3). Plasma samples obtained from each patient were quantified for PTX3 using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

resultsBoth patient groups with CKD had higher plasma PTX3 concentrations than control subjects. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (groups 2 and 3). In all groups, plasma PTX3 correlated positively with periodontal parameters. Group 3 patients had higher concentrations of PTX3 (6.338 ng/ml) than group 2 (5.41 ng/ml) and group 1 (1.835 ng/ml).

conclusionsWithin the limits of the present study, the difference in plasma PTX3 levels between groups 2 and 3 was not found to be statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, as PTX3 values correlated positively with periodontal parameters, this model could contribute to identifying individuals with periodontitis at high risk of CKD. Thus, periodontal disease could serve as a risk factor for developing CKD. Further large-scale studies nullifying the confounders for CKD are warranted to confirm positive results.