[Change of circulating TNF-alpha in patients with advanced periodontitis before and after periodontal initial therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of periodontal initial therapy on circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with periodontitis. METHODS: Patients with advanced periodontitis were selected. Sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing depth (PD), and circulating TNF-alpha concentration were assessed respectively before and 4-6 weeks after periodontal initial therapy. RESULTS: The level of circulating TNF-alpha in patients with periodontitis was significantly higher than that in healthy control subjects (P < 0.01). After periodontal initial therapy, SBI, PD and circulating TNF-alpha concentration were reduced significantly (P < 0.01) in patients with periodontitis. CONCLUSION: Periodontitis may have profound effects on systemic health through the elevation of circulating TNF-alpha. Prevention and treatment of periodontitis should be important in maintaining systemic health.