Periodontal disease and its connection to systemic biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in young American Indian/Alaskan natives

Background Periodontal disease has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). No known studies evaluate the relationship between periodontal disease status and biomarkers of CVD risk in the American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) population despite their disproportionately high rates of poor oral health and cardiovascular disease–related outcomes. This study compared levels of interleukin (IL)‐6 and C‐reactive protein (CRP) across increasing severity of periodontal disease status among younger adults between the ages of 21 and 43 years. Methods Plasma levels of IL‐6 and CRP were measured in adult participants (ages 21 to 43 years) as part of a study of periodontal disease and CVD risk among an AI/AN population in southern California (n = 59). Periodontal evaluations were performed and disease status was classified into three categories based on highest probing depth (none/mild: