Relationship between periodontal disease and subclinical atherosclerosis: the Dong-gu study

Abstract

Aim: We assessed the association of periodontal disease and number of missing teeth with subclinical atherosclerosis in an adult Korean population.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional data from 5404 individuals aged ≥50 years were obtained from the 2008-2010 Dong-gu study. Periodontal examinations were conducted to determine the number of missing teeth, pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). The percentages of sites with PD ≥ 4 mm (PD 4%), CAL ≥ 4 mm (CAL 4%), and BOP (BOP%) were recorded for each participant. B-mode ultrasound was performed to determine common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA IMT) and the presence of carotid plaques. Multivariate linear regression models were used to assess the associations between periodontal parameters and CCA IMT and carotid plaque.

Results: Number of missing teeth was associated with increased CCA IMT, and BOP% was associated with increased CCA IMT in females only. This association was robust in never smokers.

Conclusions: The number of missing teeth was associated with CCA IMT, and BOP% was associated with CCA IMT in females only. These associations were robust in never smokers. Our results suggest that tooth loss due to oral disease may play a role in subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; carotid artery intima-media thickness; carotid artery plaque; periodontal disease; periodontitis.