Objective: Recent studies have suggested an association between periodontitis and atherosclerosis; however, the relationship between periodontal status and arterial alterations should be clarified. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between periodontal status and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and arterial stiffness using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in community dwellers.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study of 1053 subjects >= 40 years with 10 teeth or more was conducted in Goto, Japan from 2008 to 2010.
Results: In a multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, number of present teeth, and other confounders, each 1-mm increase in mean periodontal pocket depth corresponded to a 0.02-mm increase in maximal cIMT (beta = 0.018; P = 0.049) and also to a 0.1 increase in mean CAVI (beta = 0.133; P = 0.040). In addition, each 1-mm increase in the mean periodontal attachment loss corresponded to a 0.01-mm increase in maximal cIMT (beta = 0.013; P = 0.040). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that each 1-mm increase in mean periodontal pocket depth was associated with an increased risk of a maximal cIMT >1 mm (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.430; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.067 -1.918; P = 0.017) and mean CAVI of >= 8 (OR, 1.323; 95% CI, 1.003-1.743; P = 0.047). Furthermore, each 1-mm increase in mean periodontal attachment loss was associated with an increased risk of a maximal cIMT >1 mm (OR, 1.251; 95% CI, 1.032-1.516; P = 0.022).
Conclusion: A linear, dose-dependent relationship was found between periodontal pocket depth, cIMT, and arterial stiffness. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.