A pilot study: stress level of patients in periodontal treatment with and without hypertension

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this preliminary clinical study is to compare the stress level of non-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects by measuring changes in Chromogranin A (CgA) level in saliva before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment, scaling and root planing (SRP), subjects and to determine if the dental treatment affects the patient’s stress level. We will also measure the changes in arterial blood pressure before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Finally, compare if the duration of treatment affects the CgA level and blood pressure between non-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients participated in the study and only 17 evaluated. Four hypertensive patients and 13 non-hypertensive patients. Blood pressure was measured and saliva samples were collected at consultation visit (T0) and before (T1) and after (T2) non-surgical periodontal treatment (SRP). Duration of treatment was recorded. RESULTS: Concentration of CgA (pmol/ml) in the hypertensive group between T0 – T2 and T1 – T2 was a decrease of 15% and 46.5% respectively. The non-hypertensive group a decrease of 71% and 64.4% respectively. For the whole population, there was a significant decrease in CgA concentration between T0 – T2 (p-value = 0.046) and T1 – T2 (p-value = 0.032) with no statistical significance between T0 – T1 (p-value =0.873). No significant difference in change of blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, there was no significant difference in blood pressure measurements. Concentrations of CgA decreased significantly after SRP compared to before SRP in all groups. A larger sample size is needed in the future.