Association between dental hygiene, cardiovascular disease risk factors and systemic inflammation in rural adults.
OBJECTIVE
A growing body of epidemiologic evidence links oral health, periodontal disease and cardiovascular health. While underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are unclear, several studies have suggested a sub-acute inflammatory state, also implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular disease. The objective of the current study was to investigate associations between self-reported dental hygiene (brushing, flossing, preventive care and overall dental health), cardiovascular disease risk factors and systemic inflammation.


METHODS
128 adults from 5 different rural counties in West Virginia participated in a comprehensive, community-based health screening that included anthropometric assessments, collection of a blood specimen and completion of a questionnaire about dental hygiene practices and oral health.


RESULTS
Univariate analysis demonstrated multiple statistically significant associations between self-reported dental hygiene and cardiovascular disease risk factors and markers of systemic inflammation. In regression analysis, after controlling for demographic and cardiovascular disease risk factor covariates, self-reported dental hygiene demonstrated statistically significant and independent associations with adiponectin, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP) and cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated associations between dental hygiene and systemic inflammation, independent from BMI and blood cholesterol. Future studies should investigate whether periodontal-related systemic inflammation begins before the onset of clinical disease. Results from this and other studies highlight the importance of dental hygiene in overall systemic health, and are beginning to collectively suggest that regular dental hygiene care is an integral part of comprehensive health care.
West Virginia University School of Dentistry, Department for Rural Health and Practice, USA.
Stephanie J
SJ
Frisbee
Christopher B
CB
Chambers
Jefferson C
JC
Frisbee
Adam G
AG
Goodwill
Richard J
RJ
Crout
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007162:Immunoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D014903:West Virginia
D007162:Immunoproteins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D002784:Cholesterol