title: Carotid and popliteal artery intima-media thickness in patients with poor oral hygiene and the association with acute-phase reactants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate whether poor oral hygiene is associated with carotid and popliteal arterial intima-media thickness, which is one of the predictors of future progression of sub-clinical atherosclerosis, and highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fibrinogen levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  A specialised dentist checked the patients and selected 550 patients during periodontal examinations, according to their oral hygiene. The patients had no history of atherosclerotic disease. Carotid and popliteal artery B-mode ultrasonographic examinations and hsCRP and fibrinogen levels were analysed at baseline and after a mean of 6.2 months. The patients were scored on the DMFT index for the number of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth (T). We also used the Silness-Loe plaque index (SLI) to evaluate oral hygiene and dental plaque. The patients were divided into two groups using the DMFT and SLI criteria. Group I had a DMFT index score from 0 to 3 and SLI index score of 0 or 1. Group II had a DMFT index score from 4 to 28 and SLI index score of 2 or 3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant association was observed between dental status, oral hygiene, carotid and popliteal artery intima-media thickness and hsCRP level. Patients with increasing DMFT and SLI scores correlated with increasing carotid artery intima-media thickness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results clearly showed that chronic poor oral hygiene and tooth loss are related to sub-clinical atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries and may be indicative of future progression of atherosclerosis.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Faculty, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Ihsan Sami
authors: IS
authors: Uyar
authors: Mehmet Besir
authors: MB
authors: Akpinar
authors: Veysel
authors: V
authors: Sahin
authors: Elif Filiz
authors: EF
authors: Yasa
authors: Feyzi
authors: F
authors: Abacilar
authors: Volkan
authors: V
authors: Yurtman
authors: Faik Fevzi
authors: FF
authors: Okur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D004245:DMF Index; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
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