Classic Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases and Periodontal Status in Patients After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background. Many studies pinpoint a link between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases. Both diseases have multifactorial etiology and share several common risk factors. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess correlations between periodontal status and selected risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in patients after acute myocardial infarction and in healthy subjects. Material and Methods. The study group included 151 patients, with a mean age of 55.08 years, after myocardial infarction. The control group consisted of 160 individuals with a mean age of 55.2 years selected from the general population. Periodontal examination included: BoP, the number of periodontal pockets, PD and CAL. Selected risk factors were assessed: sex, age, socioeconomic status, tobacco smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and impaired body mass. Results. In the study group severe periodontitis in line with the case definitions for periodontitis surveillance (Page and Eke) was found in the majority of patients (49.7%), while in the control group moderate periodontitis predominated and accounted for 40.0%. The prevalence of assessed risk factors was higher in the study group. The statistical analysis showed correlations between BoP, the number of active periodontal pockets and income (p = 0.002), the level of education (p < 0.0001) and tobacco smoking (p = 0.014) as well as between the degree of periodontitis in PD, CAL and age (p = 0.018), income (p = 0.0005; p < 0.0001), the level of education (p = 0.0003; p < 0.0001) and tobacco smoking (p = 0.013) in the study group. In the control group correlations were found between active inflammation and sex (p = 0.0002), age (p = 0.01), the level of education (p = 0.0278), BMI (p = 0.0397), WHR (p = 0.033) and between PD, CAL and sex (p = 0.003), age (p < 0.0001) and the level of education (p = 0.002). Conclusions. There are some associations between periodontal status and selected risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. There is a need for well-designed studies on the effect of periodontitis and its treatment which can prevent acute outcomes of cardiovascular diseases