Is the observed association between periodontitis and atherosclerosis causal?
Most of the documentation of possible causal links between periodontitis and atherosclerosis-related diseases appears indirect or circumstantial. There is, however, an increasing number of both experimental and longitudinal epidemiological studies which seem to support a causal relationship. A critical evaluation of the epidemiological data available might therefore be appropriate. The present study is based on a literature search using Ovid medical data base covering the period from 1989 to October 2000 and applying specific inclusion criteria. Based on a critical evaluation of the 14 investigations selected from a total of 21 retrieved from the search, a causal relationship between periodontitis and atherosclerosis-related diseases appeared possible. However, the nature both of periodontitis and atherosclerosis is multifactorial, and caution should be exercised when implicating periodontal disease in the causation of atherosclerotic disorders.
Kolltveit
K M
KM
Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Norway. kristimk@odont.uio.no
Eriksen
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies