Salivary profile and periodontal condition in patients with heart disease under warfarin treatment

Abstract

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in many countries. It refers to many conditions can be categorized into: electrical, circulatory and structural disorders. Warfarin drug is widely used anticoagulant medication for treatment of thrombosis and embolism. Patients on warfarin treatment are susceptible to bleeding and cannot perform oral hygiene practice properly therefore, periodontal diseases are commonly seen in those patients. The study was carried out on 42 individuals (22 with heart disease taking warfarin drug as case group and 20 healthy individuals as control group). Non- stimulated whole saliva samples were obtained by expectoration. Salivary flow rate was measured as ml/min, salivary C- reactive protein and albumin levels were measured by using auto- analyzer. Periodontal status was assessed by measurement of clinical attachment loss for both groups. The mean salivary flow rate was significantly lower in case group compared to healthy controls (P= 0.02). The mean salivary C reactive protein and albumin levels were significantly higher in the case group than the control group (p= 0.003). Clinical attachment loss was significantly higher in case group than controls (p< 0.001). Salivary flow rate decrease in patients with heart disease. Salivary C- reactive protein and albumin levels in addition to clinical attachment loss were increase in patients with heart disease using warfarin drug, so goodoral hygiene instructions are necessary