IADR Abstract Archives
Epidemiological evidence for the relationships between periodontitis and CVD
Abstract Body: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading death cause worldwide, with ischaemic heart disease and stroke accounting for 27% global deaths according to WHO data. The atherosclerotic vascular disease is the main pathogenic mechanism behind the occurrence of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease, however, its incidence can not be fully explained by the classical risk factors for CVD. Therefore, novel risk factors have been proposed such as infections and systemic inflammation.
On its hand, severe periodontitis, a bacterial triggered chronic inflammatory disease, is the sixth-most prevalent disease in the global population. Several investigations have demonstrated an association between periodontitis and CVD. Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of atherosclerotic disease is higher in periodontitis subjects, when compared with healthy controls, independent from other common risk factors. This association seems to be more pronounced in young individuals.
The cause-effect relation between CVD and periodontitis has not been proven yet, however there is evidence from intervention studies that periodontal treatment can reduce the risk for CVD by improving plasma levels of inflammatory, thrombotic and metabolic markers, as well as endothelial function. This beneficial effect of the treatment of periodontitis seems to be greater in subjects suffering both periodontitis and other co-morbidities such as CVD and/or diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, the evidence supporting the effect of periodontal therapy on CVD is limited, and there is no study evaluating its influence on the incidence of final cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke...).
In conclusion, periodontitis is associated with higher prevalence of CVD, independent of other risk factors, and its treatment has proven to induce beneficial effects on surrogate markers for CVD events.
On its hand, severe periodontitis, a bacterial triggered chronic inflammatory disease, is the sixth-most prevalent disease in the global population. Several investigations have demonstrated an association between periodontitis and CVD. Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of atherosclerotic disease is higher in periodontitis subjects, when compared with healthy controls, independent from other common risk factors. This association seems to be more pronounced in young individuals.
The cause-effect relation between CVD and periodontitis has not been proven yet, however there is evidence from intervention studies that periodontal treatment can reduce the risk for CVD by improving plasma levels of inflammatory, thrombotic and metabolic markers, as well as endothelial function. This beneficial effect of the treatment of periodontitis seems to be greater in subjects suffering both periodontitis and other co-morbidities such as CVD and/or diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, the evidence supporting the effect of periodontal therapy on CVD is limited, and there is no study evaluating its influence on the incidence of final cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke...).
In conclusion, periodontitis is associated with higher prevalence of CVD, independent of other risk factors, and its treatment has proven to induce beneficial effects on surrogate markers for CVD events.