Periodontal disease as risk factor in ischemic heart disease

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Abstract

Background 
Previous studies have indicated that ischemic heart disease (CI) and major cardiovascular events (EM) may be directly related to chronic infections, such as periodontal disease. It has also been suggested that infectious diseases could lead to an inflammatory endothelial response and atherosclerotic progression, thus representing a cardiovascular risk factor.

Study objective 
To assess the relationship between periodontal disease, CI and EM . 

Research design and methods 
This clinical trial was performed on a group of 341 patients (mean age 70±9.8 years) admitted at the Cardiology Divi­sion, Hospital Español of Buenos Aires, between July 1999 and July 2001. Common atherogenic risk factors (FRA) were investigated in all patients, accounting for the presence of CI with or without EM. Dental examination was performed separately. We determined the odds ratio (OR) for sex, age and common risk factors. Statistical significance was assessed by means of the chi square test. 

Results 
Age, male sex, a high plasma cholesterol level and periodon­tal disease were significantly related to CI and EM. Peri­odontal disease showed a patent association with CI (OR: 2.03) and EM (OR: 3.2). We found a statistically significant relationship between edentation and CI (p = 0.018) but not with EM (p = 0.126). 

Conclusions 
Periodontal disease showed an even higher relationship with CI and EM than classic FRA.