International Journal of Cardiovascular Research & Innovation

ABSTRACT

Background: Periodontitis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are both persistent inflammatory conditions that share common risk factors and contribute to systemic health complications. There is growing evidence of a bidirectional relationship influenced by systemic inflammation, primarily reflected through serum biomarkers. Objective: To systematically review and synthesize current evidence on serum biomarkers in individuals diagnosed with both periodontitis and established CVD. Methods: An extensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, covering all records up to July 2025. Inclusion criteria were observational or interventional studies involving adult patients (?18 years) diagnosed with both periodontitis and CVD, reporting quantitative serum biomarker data. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: A total of twenty-two studies met the established criteria for inclusion. Among the most frequently examined biomarkers were C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?), fibrinogen, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-8 and MMP-9). Patients with both conditions showed significantly elevated biomarker levels compared to controls. Periodontal therapy was associated with reductions in systemic inflammation. Conclusion: Elevated systemic inflammatory biomarkers in patients with both periodontitis and CVD support a biological link between the two diseases. Serum biomarkers can serve as indicators for disease progression and potential therapeutic targets. Further longitudinal and interventional research is recommended.

KEYWORDS

1. Periodontitis
2. Cardiovascular disease
3. Systemic inflammation
4. Serum biomarkers
5. C-reactive protein
6. Interleukin-6