Fig. 3.

Changes in systemic inflammation after periodontal therapy. Data are presented as medians and 95% CI with individual data points. In the cirrhosis groups, the black dots are patients with HE (hepatic encephalopathy), while the others are without HE. A: change in serum endotoxin before or after periodontal therapy shows reduction in the cirrhosis group, and the HE group (P = 0.02, Wilcoxon matched-pairs test). Control values remained statistically similar. B: change in serum IL-6 before or after periodontal therapy shows reduction in the cirrhosis group, and the HE group (P = 0.42, Wilcoxon matched-pairs test). Control IL-6 levels were similar before or after therapy.