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. 2021 Oct 15:11:200110.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijcrp.2021.200110. eCollection 2021 Dec.

The association between periodontitis and cardiovascular risks in asymptomatic healthy patients

H C M Donders  1   2 , E O Veth  3   4 , A W J van 't Hof  5   6 , J de Lange  1   2 , B G Loos  3
Affiliations

The association between periodontitis and cardiovascular risks in asymptomatic healthy patients

H C M Donders et al. Int J Cardiol Cardiovasc Risk Prev. .

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease of the supportive tissues of the teeth. Pathophysiological evidence suggests a possible common inflammatory background between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Pathological and epidemiological associations between these two diseases have been presented, but are still debated. This study aimed to investigate the association between the inflammatory burden of periodontitis and the presence and extent of coronary calcification. Secondary aims were to study other cardiovascular parameters and cardiovascular risk predictors in relation to periodontitis and dental health.

Methods: Healthy periodontitis or non-periodontitis patients 45-70 years of age were included in a prospective cross-sectional study. Full-mouth examinations were performed by a periodontist to determine their Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA) score and other dental parameters. To assess the cardiovascular conditions, Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scores, endothelial function assessments by the EndoPAT ™, and several physical and biochemical examinations were performed.

Results: Seventy-one patients were included. Elevated CAC scores and endothelial dysfunction were not significantly related to PISA or dental health. PISA was significantly related to the Framingham and Reynolds CVD risk predictors, but were no longer significant after correction for confounders. The same applied to the significant relations between tooth loss, dental plaque and bleeding scores and the CVD risk predictors.

Conclusions: Periodontitis is associated with increased CVD risk, but is not an independent risk factor. This link is still important to make to bridge the gap between dentistry and general medicine and to identify patients at risk for CVD in an earlier stage.

Keywords: CVD prevention; CVD risk Prediction; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score; Dental health; Periodontitis.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Association between tooth loss and SCORE.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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