Abstract
Background: Due to the higher frequency of ischemic stroke in men compared to women, we aimed to determine if gender differences exist regarding periodontal status and several plasma biomarkers in patients with a recent large artery atherosclerosis ischemic stroke (IS). Material and methods: Patients with their first IS within less than six weeks who were able to undergo periodontal examinations were evaluated. Demographic data, periodontal status, oxidative stress parameters/plasma antioxidant capacity, and C-reactive protein in patients who suffered a recent large artery atherosclerosis ischemic stroke were reccorded. Results: 93 patients were included in the study. More men were smokers (12/57 vs. 3/36) and consumed alcohol (17/57 vs. 3/36), and more women had higher glycemic values (p = 0.023), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (p = 0.010), and HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (p = 0.005) levels. Significantly more men than women had moderate plus severe periodontal disease (p = 0.018), significantly higher levels of nitric oxide (p = 0.034), and significantly lower levels of total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.028). Conclusions: In this pilot study, men seem to be more prone to oxidative stress and to develop more severe forms of periodontitis among patients with stroke, but the results need validation on a larger sample.
Highlights
Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke are two of the most common causes of mortality and adult disability worldwide [1,2]
Background: Due to the higher frequency of ischemic stroke in men compared to women, we aimed to determine if gender differences exist regarding periodontal status and several plasma biomarkers in patients with a recent large artery atherosclerosis ischemic stroke (IS)
Serum oxidative stress parameters, such as NOx, constitute important biomarkers indicating the persistence of chronic inflammation in patients with stroke and associated periodontitis, which was significantly higher in men than women in the present study, but the difference was small
Summary
Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke are two of the most common causes of mortality and adult disability worldwide [1,2]. Despite the increased risk for stroke in post-menopausal women, men have higher frequency of stroke even in old age, while the cause of this difference is still under evaluation [3,4,5,6]. Atherosclerosis of major intracranial arteries remains one of the primary etiological factors for ischemic stroke, [8] but some risk factors, such as age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and severe tooth loss, have been associated with cerebrovascular disease [9]. Due to the higher frequency of ischemic stroke in men compared to women, we aimed to determine if gender differences exist regarding periodontal status and several plasma biomarkers in patients with a recent large artery atherosclerosis ischemic stroke (IS). Demographic data, periodontal status, oxidative stress parameters/plasma antioxidant capacity, and C-reactive protein in patients who suffered a recent large artery atherosclerosis ischemic stroke were reccorded. Conclusions: In this pilot study, men seem to be more prone to oxidative stress and to develop more severe forms of periodontitis among patients with stroke, but the results need validation on a larger sample
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