Abstract
AimThis single blind cross-sectional study compared the vascular health of subjects suffering from severe chronic periodontitis, severe aggressive periodontitis and periodontal healthy controls by evaluating pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx) and pulse pressure amplification (PPA).Material and MethodsIn a total of 158 subjects, 92 suffering from severe periodontitis and 66 matched periodontal healthy controls, PWV, AIx, central and peripheral blood pressure were recorded using an oscillometric device (Arteriograph).ResultsSubjects suffering from severe chronic or aggressive periodontitis exhibited significantly higher PWV (p = 0.00004), higher AIx (p = 0.0049) and lower PPA (p = 0.028) than matched periodontal healthy controls.ConclusionsThe results of this study confirm the association between periodontal inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk shown by impaired vascular health in case of severe periodontitis. As impaired vascular health is a common finding in patients suffering from severe periodontal disease a concomitant routine cardiovascular evaluation may be advised.
Highlights
The association between oral inflammation and the risk for myocardial infarction or stroke has been firstly described already more than two decades ago [1,2]
Data evaluation revealed significantly higher pulse wave velocity (PWV) values for patients suffering from severe chronic periodontitis or severe aggressive periodontitis when compared to the periodontal healthy controls (p = 0.00004)
Aortic Augmentation Index (AIx) The results of the calculation of the augmentation index (AIx) data for the test and control group are shown in figure 3
Summary
The association between oral inflammation and the risk for myocardial infarction or stroke has been firstly described already more than two decades ago [1,2]. A steadily increasing number of studies and reviews have firmly established a positive association between atherosclerosis and periodontal inflammation [3,4,5]. For the evaluation of endothelial dysfunction, the first measurable stage of developing atherosclerosis, in these studies usually the flowmediated dilatation FMD (endothelium-dependent) or the nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (endothelium-independent) of the brachial artery, have been recorded. The limit of years was chosen because in the periodontitis group no one was younger than After this exclusion, except the peripheral pulse pressure, there were no significant differences between the periodontally healthy controls and the test group suffering from severe periodontal diseases regarding the following parameters: gender, age, body mass index, height, weight, smoking habits, arterial hypertension, and presence of hypercholesterolemia. The examiner was calibrated if the first measurement and the measurement 48 hours later was were equal at 75% of the measurements with total agreement and 95% within mm [27]
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