COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF HIGH AND LOW DOSE OF ATORVASTATIN THERAPY ON THE PERIODONTAL STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE – AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY.

Objectives: - To evaluate the effect of different dose of atorvastatin therapy on the periodontal status in patients with coronary artery disease, having periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 50 patients, selected from outpatient department of Cardiology, Bai Yamunabai Laxman Nair Medical hospital, Mumbai. The patients were randomly divided into group A and group B depending upon the high dose (80mg) and low dose (10-20mg) of atorvastatin respectively. “Periodontal Disease Index” was used for the assessment of plaque index, periodontal pocket depth and loss of attachment to estimate the systemic effects of Atorvastatin on the periodontal status. This index was taken at baseline before the start of drug therapy, 1st and at 3rd month of treatment with Atorvastatin. Result: Plaque index increases significantly between baseline and 3rd month in both the experimental groups. The P value was <0.001 for both the experimental groups. Calculus Index too increases significantly between baseline and 3rd month in both the experimental groups. The P value was < 0.01 for Group A and <0.003 for Group B. No significant difference found in the Periodontal Disease Index, Periodontal Probing Depth and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) at the end of the 3rd month. The P value was 1.0 for both the experimental groups. Conclusion: There was no significant change in the periodontal status of patients on atorvastatin therapy. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the plaque and the calculus index. Keywords: Atorvastatin, cardiovascular disease, periodontal disease.