Periodontal variables may predict sub-clinical atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation in young adults. A cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present explorative cross-sectional study was to evaluate the potential role of some periodontal variables in predicting sub-clinical atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation in young adults (<or=40 years) with severe periodontitis compared with healthy individuals without periodontitis.


METHODS
A total of 90 systemically healthy subjects, 45 (mean age 36.35+/-3.65 years) affected by severe periodontitis (test group) and 45 individuals (mean age 33.78+/-3.28 years) without a history of periodontal disease (control group) were enrolled in the present study. Test and control groups were paired for age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and smoking habits. Carotid intima-media thickness (carotid IMT) was bilaterally assessed by ultrasonography at the level of the common carotid artery to evaluate sub-clinical atherosclerosis. Blood samples to assess inflammatory markers (leucocytes, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total serum cholesterol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, glucose and haemoglobin A1c% were taken.


RESULTS
In periodontal patients, mean probing depth (PD) was a predictor of mean carotid IMT (P=0.0005), BMI (P=0.0002), systolic blood pressure (P=0.0300) and diastolic blood pressure (P= 0.0199). Full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) was a predictor of C-reactive protein levels (P=0.0218). In controls, full-mouth plaque score was a predictor of glucose levels (P=0.0074) and higher FMBS of lower triglycerides levels (P=0.0312).


CONCLUSIONS
Mean PD and FMBS may predict sub-clinical atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation in young adults with severe periodontitis.
Cairo
Francesco
F
Department of Periodontology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. cairofrancesco@virgilio.it
Nieri
Michele
M
Gori
Anna Maria
AM
Rotundo
Roberto
R
Castellani
Sergio
S
Abbate
Rosanna
R
Pini-Prato
Giovan Paolo
GP
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D011379:Prognosis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol