Association of Periodontitis with Ambulatory Blood Pressure, Salt Intake, and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in High-Risk Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

<i>Objective</i>: Periodontitis and cardiovascular disease are prevalent entities that often coexist, with a common pro-inflammatory pathway. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between periodontitis and cardiovascular pro-inflammatory parameters rarely considered within risk factors. <i>Methods</i>: Forty-three participants aged between 38-82 years were examined. An association between mean probing depth (MPD), mean attachment loss (MAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was correlated with the following cardiovascular disease factors and inflammatory promoters: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), 24h ambulatory blood pressure, global cardiovascular risk, daily salt intake, night-time systolic blood pressure (nSBP), and pulse wave velocity (PWV). A two-way ANOVA and multiple comparison tests were performed using SPSS statistics software. <i>Results</i>: A highly significant correlation (p<0.05) was found between BOP, MPD, and MAL with high salt intake, global cardiovascular risk estimation, nSBP, and PISA. Also, significantly statistical correlation (p<0.05) was found between BOP, NLR, and PWV while PISA was only associated with NLR. Logistic regression analysis identified absolute values of nSBP, salt intake and NLR as possible independent contributors to the increase in the <i>log</i> odds of developing BOP. <i>Conclusions</i>: Several periodontal disease parameters are linked to cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, daily salt intake and night-time systolic blood pressure.