title: [Association between atherosclerosis and periodontitis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic inflammation and infections are involved in the development and progression of atherosclerotic vascular disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between periodontitis and early atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three subjects who received periodontal treatment and regular maintenance for at least 10 years, and 55 subjects with periodontitis but without a history of periodontal treatment were studied. Carotid artery intima-media wall thickness (CIMT) was measured with high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. A blood sample was obtained to measure high sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, lipoprotein cholesterol, leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Covariates included age, gender, smoking, level of education, body mass index and physical activity. The benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA) test was used to determine the number of periodontal sites with periodontal pathogens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CIMT value was significantly higher in subjects with periodontitis than those without it (0.775 ± 0.268 and 0.683 ± 0.131 mm respectively, p = 0.027). C-reactive protein, leukocyte count and percentage of sites with periodontal pathogens were also significantly higher in subjects with periodontitis. Regression analysis identified age, periodontitis, and smoking as independent predictors of CIMT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that untreated periodontitis is associated with early atherosclerotic carotid lesions and higher levels of inflammatory markers.
authors: Departamento de Odontología Conservadora, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile. nlopez@interactiva.cl
authors: Néstor J
authors: NJ
authors: López
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Chamorro
authors: Marcelo
authors: M
authors: Llancaqueo
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D001587:Benzoylarginine-2-Naphthylamide / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018450:Disease Progression; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D001587:Benzoylarginine-2-Naphthylamide