Is there evidence that periodontal diseases are risk factors for coronary arterial disease?-Scoping review

Aim: To determine the scientific evidence regarding the condition of periodontal diseases (PDs) as risk factors of coronary artery diseases. Materials and methods: A scoping review was performed through the selection of articles from online databases (Medline via PubMed, LILACS, and Cochrane CENTRAL), using a search algorithm and eligibility criteria for data extraction and data synthesis of included papers. Four hundred forty-one studies from online databases and 1364 from reference lists were initially identified, and 34 articles were selected for inclusion. Articles had to be published between 2015 and 2020 and had to associate PDs to coronary arterial diseases. All studies comprised a sample of 446443 participants. Favorable opinions totaled 70.59%, and the cross-sectional observational study design was more frequently found (32.35%). Biochemical outcomes were showed more frequently, such as inflammatory biomarkers (58.82%). Despite a large advantage for favorable opinions, a statistically significant result was not found when extracted data were combined with studies opinions. Conclusion: The evidence was classified as level II-3, hence, still distant from the best ranks and can therefore be considered as unclear. Moreover, studies with the higher potential to generate evidence showed a high risk of bias.