ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PERIODONTAL DISEASE, ATEROSCLEROSIS, AND THICKNESS OF THE INTIMA-MEDIA OF THE CAROTID ARTERY LAYER

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the association between periodontal disease, atherosclerosis, and carotid artery intima-media thickness. Study design: Cross-sectional observational study, which was performed through patient anamnesis and periodontal evaluation through plaque index, bleeding index, probing depth, and gingival recession. Thickness of carotid artery intima-media (cIMT) was obtained by ultrasonography. Results: The sample consisted of 92 patients aged 19 to 82 years. The prevalence of periodontal disease index was 74.2%, and the prevalence of gingivitis was 11.8%. The bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between periodontal disease and the presence of atheromatous plaque, but this relationship was not maintained in the multivariate analysis. The presence of atheromatous plaques was higher in patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease. Conclusions: Unlike some recent studies, there was a statistically significant correlation between periodontal disease and the presence of atheromatous plaque and increase in cIMT, but this relationship was not maintained in the multivariate analysis. The probing depth was significantly associated with a thickness of the intima-media greater than 1 mm and when depth was greater than 3 mm increased by 11 times the chance of having a cIMT> 1 mm.