title: On the association between hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease and severe periodontal disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premature death in men is known to be significantly associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). More and more studies are pointing toward a possible association between periodontal disease and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The association of poor oral hygiene and atherosclerosis can be explained by the effect of chronic inflammatory disease on blood rheology. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between CHD and periodontal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included 1094 Israeli army service men aged 26-53 years (mean: 39+/-5 years). The study group comprised 151 subjects classified as having coronary heart disease CHD, i.e., myocardial infarction, and or anginal syndrome with angiographic evidence of significant coronary disease, or suffer from atherosclerotic risk factors, i.e., diabetes (fasting glucose) and HTN according to strict, well-established criteria. Blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were also determined. The severity of periodontal disease was assessed by the aid of CPITN. The control group comprised 943 healthy subjects. Statistical analysis was performed with chi2 test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis showed a significant association of CPITN score 4 with hypercholesterolemia and a possible association with CHD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The generation of higher cholesterol blood levels is proposed as a possible link between chronic periodontal inflammation and atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Jerusalem, Israel. Katzdr@internet-zahav.net
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chaushu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sharabi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012720:Severity of Illness Index