Abstract WP182: Relationship Between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Periodontal Disease in an Urban Japanese Population: The Suita Study

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The association between periodontal disease and carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT) has been controversial. There are few population-based studies on the association. We assessed the hypothesis that periodontal disease was a risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis in a general urban Japanese population. Research design and methods: We studied 1,484 Japanese individuals (mean age 66.9 years) who underwent medical check-up, dental examinations, and carotid ultrasonography with atherosclerotic indexes of IMT in the common carotid artery (CCA), carotid artery bulb, and internal and external carotid arteries. Mean IMT was defined as the mean of the proximal and distal walls IMT for both sides of the CCA at a point 10 mm proximal to the beginning of each bulb. Subjects were divided into two groups: plaque (-) (maximum IMT less than 1.1 mm, n=235) and plaque (+) groups (maximum IMT equal or more than 1.1 mm, n=1249). Periodontal status was examined by Community Periodontal Index (CPI, code 0-4) by which subjects with CPI code equal or more than 3 (periodontal pocket [PP] group, n=758) and those with CPI code 4 (severe periodontitis [SP] group, n=244). We examined the relationship between plaque (+/-) and periodontal status by using age- and sex-adjusted chi-square test. Logistic regression model was used to analysis of mean and maximum IMT according to the periodontal status adjusted by cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Plaque (+) group tended to have periodontal pocket in both men and women (odd ratio [OR] =1.84, P<0.000). Women with plaque (+) tended to have periodontal pocket (OR=1.19, P=0.001) and severe periodontitis (OR=3.14, P=0.002). Mean IMT was significantly higher in both PP and SP groups (adjusted mean IMT= 0.82 mm (CPI code 0-2) and 0.847 mm (PP group), P=0.001; adjusted mean IMT=0.815 mm (CPI code 0-3) and 0.834 mm (SP group), P=0.002). Conclusions: In our population based study, periodontitis may be a risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis, especially in women.