[Periodontal disease among patients with acute coronary syndrome].
BACKGROUND
Epidemiological studies suggest an association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease. It is possible that periodontal disease may contribute to plaque destabilization in patients with acute coronary syndrome.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between severity of periodontal disease, the number of acute plaques and extension of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome.


METHODS
The severity of periodontal disease was assessed by skilled independent observers in patients with acute coronary syndrome subjected to coronary angiography. The periodental disease was classified as mild or severe. Acute plaques were defined on angiography as those with thrombi, ulcers or flow alterations. The extension of coronary disease was analyzed using the Sullivan score.


RESULTS
Forty three patients (35 males) aged 41 to 83 years, were studied. Mild and severe periodontal disease was present in 18 (42%) and 25 (58%) patients respectively. Seventy six percent of those with severe disease had two or more acute plaques, compared with 17% of those with mild disease (p<0.001). Median Sullivan score was 80.6 and 57.2 in patients with severe or mild periodontal disease respectively (p=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Severe periodontal disease was associated with a higher number of acute coronary plasques and a higher extension of coronary artery disease, in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
Lim
Jongsung
J
Departamento Enfermedades Cardiovasculares Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
Pérez
Luis
L
Guarda
Eduardo
E
Fajuri
Alejandro
A
Marchant
Eugenio
E
Martínez
Alejandro
A
Lazen
Rosa
R
Del Valle
Fernando
F
Hernández
Denisse
D
Casanegra
Alejandra
A
Cereceda
María Paz
MP
Villalobos
Ana María
AM
Boncompte
Mariana
M
Acevedo
Francisco
F
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000209:etiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors