Association of stress and chronic periodontitis by estimation of serum cortisol levels

Background-The relationship of stress and chronic periodontitis was assessed using serum cortisol levels. Aim – To evaluate the relationship between stress and chronic periodontitis by estimation of serum cortisol levels. Settings and design- A case control study having 30 cases of chronic periodontitis and 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. Methods and materials- stress analysis was performed using standardized questionnaire method, social readjustment rating scale (SRRS). Clinical assessment of plaque, gingival inflammation, probing pocket depth and clinical attatchment level was performed. Serum cortisol level was estimated using ELISA. Statistical analysis- Pearson correlation coefficient was used for evaluating the relationship between different variables and its statistical significance was determined using students‘t’ test. Results-The SRRS scores and serum cortisol levels were higher in group I when compared to group II. There was a statistically significant correlation of plaque and probing depth with serum cortisol levels in chronic periodontitis patients. Conclusion- The present study revealed a significant correlation between serum cortisol levels and chronic periodontitis.