Periodontitis and carotid atheroma: is there a causal relationship?
Periodontal diseases are highly prevalent in the population. Several studies implicated that chronic periodontitis may affect the arterial wall inducing subclinical atherosclerosis by triggering a systemic inflammatory response. Three theories have been put forward to explain potential mechanisms involved: the theory of bacterial invasion, the cytokine theory and the autoimmunization theory. Periodontal inflammation could have a role in the initiation and progression of arterial diseases such as coronary artery disease and carotid atherosclerosis. Further clinical studies are required to investigate if there is a causal relationship of chronic periodontitis with echolucent unstable carotid plaques.
Department of Vascular Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece.
I D
ID
Tzorbatzoglou
G S
GS
Sfyroeras
A D
AD
Giannoukas
D015551:Autoimmunity; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators