Measurement of atherosclerosis markers in patients with periodontitis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: It is suggested that periodontitis enhances the process of vascular inflammation leading to atherosclerosis. The present study explores the effect of periodontitis in relation to the clinical and ultrasound markers of carotid atherosclerosis.

METHODS: Sixty systemically healthy patients >45 years of age (30 with chronic periodontitis and 30 without periodontitis) were studied in a university dental school. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors for atherosclerosis were evaluated. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was assessed by ultrasound.

RESULTS: The internal carotid IMT was 0.77 and 0.81 mm in the periodontal disease and control groups, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.538). There were significant differences in the presence of carotid atheroma plaques and the severity of periodontitis (P = 0.003). In the logistic regression analysis, significant differences in terms of age and periodontitis were recorded in relation to the presence of atheroma plaques in the carotid intima.

CONCLUSION: The severity of periodontitis was seen to influence the presence of carotid atheroma plaques.