Levels of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Heart Transplant Patients

Levels of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Heart Transplant Patients With and Without Periodontitis

Inflammation plays a key role in the deterioration of chronic heart transplants. Periodontal disease is not limited to the tooth-supporting structures - it also contributes to systemic inflammation. This study explored whether periodontitis is associated with serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in heart transplant patients.

The study included 33 patients who had undergone heart transplantation at Baskent University Hospital. Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded, and blood samples were collected on the same day to measure serum hs-CRP.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Periodontitis; Heart Transplant Failure; Crp
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: clinical measurements

Detailed Description

Of the 33 patients, 9 (27.3%) had periodontitis, 4 (12.1%) were periodontally healthy, and 20 (60.6%) had gingivitis. Serum hs-CRP was significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the healthy and gingivitis groups (P = .006). hs-CRP also correlated positively with probing depth (r = 0.358; P = .041), clinical attachment level (r = 0.352; P = .045), and gingival recession (r = 0.422; P = .014).

Elevated hs-CRP in heart transplant patients was associated with periodontitis, supporting the value of regular periodontal visits after transplant.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 33

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 11 years to 65 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

The patients who underwent heart transplant between 2004 and April 2016 at Baskent University Hospital,will be asked to participate in the study during routine outpaient visits at Baskent University Hospital

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients who underwent heart transplant procedures at Baskent University Hospital

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
periodontitis; periodontitis patients which were diagnosed based on clinical parameters	Other: clinical measurements; only clinical parameters were recorded; Other Names: no intervention was made
gingivitis/healthy; Description: "gingivitis healthy patients which were diagnosed based on clinical parameters	Other: clinical measurements; only clinical parameters were recorded; Other Names: no intervention was made

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
hs-CRP levels	Serum hs-CRP levels were compared between the groups (periodontitis vs. periodontally healthy vs. gingivitis)	Day 1

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Baskent University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 20, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 20, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): June 10, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 13, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 13, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): September 14, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 2, 2026
• Last Verified: August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: periodontitis; heart transplant; hsCRP
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Periodontal Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Periodontitis
• Other Study ID Numbers: BaskentU3; approval no. 16/02 (Other Identifier: Baskent University IRB)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No