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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Adult, Alveolar Bone Loss, Biomarkers, Blood Sedimentation, C-Reactive Protein, Confounding Factors (Epidemiology), Disease Susceptibility, Female, Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products, Humans, Leukocyte Count, Male, Middle Aged, Peptide Fragments, Periodontitis, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1, Protein Precursors, Prothrombin, Serine Proteinase Inhibitors, Smoking, Thrombosis, Tooth Loss, von Willebrand Factor.
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Is periodontitis characterized by elevated PAI-1 activity? Context: Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease and has been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We investigated whether plasma levels of markers of a prothrombotic state were elevated in patients with periodontitis in comparison with healthy controls. Untreated patients with moderate (n=53) and severe periodontitis (n=38) and healthy controls (n=39) were recruited. Levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity and D-dimer were measured as markers of a prothrombotic state. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and leucocyte counts (WBC) were significantly higher in patients with periodontitis. No statistically significant difference was found among the three groups for vWF (p=0.264), F1+2 (p=0.295) and D-dimer (p=0.572). However, PAI-1 was clearly elevated in the severe periodontitis group (p=0.001), even after adjusting for potential confounding factors (p(adj)=0.004). Moreover, more patients than controls were having vWF and PAI-1 levels above the respective population medians.
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In periodontitis, elevated levels of PAI-1 activity are observed compared with healthy controls. This may increase the potential for impaired fibrinolysis, a condition that results in a prothrombotic state. We suggest that this state, if left untreated, may contribute to an increased risk for CVD. Final Decision: yes