Alveolar bone loss and ageing: possible association with coronary heart diseases and/or severe vascular diseases.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to utilise a new methodological approach based on radiographic examinations to demonstrate a potential association between coronary heart diseases (CHD) as well as severe hypertension and alveolar bone loss (ABL) in older adults.


BACKGROUND
Many studies, primarily assessing clinical parameters, underline the association between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between ABL and CHD/vascular diseases (VD) is potentially of high importance because of their prevalence in populations, and they represent an important issue in the fields of epidemiology and public health. Therefore, this topic was approached with new tools.


METHODS
The study was comprised of 236 participants over 50 years. A clinical examination and a radiographic assessment of ABL were performed. Direct measures of alveolar bone level were recorded using CT scans, and different variables were studied (age, sex, Plaque index, cigarettes per day, coronary heart disease and vascular disease status). A medical examination report was attached to the investigation file.


RESULTS
The results confirmed a positive association between CHD/VD and periodontal destruction; alveolar bone destruction represented a risk factor for CHD/VD [odds ratio (OR): 1.27; 95% CI: 1.01-1.60; p < 0.037].


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports an association between periodontal diseases and CHD/VD independent of known confounders, although an aetiological link of causality has not been established.
Faculté de Médecine Nord, UMR 7268 ADÉS/Aix Marseille Université -EFS- CNRS, Marseille Cedex, France.|Faculté d'Odontologie, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille Cedex, France.
Michel
M
Ruquet
Faculté de Médecine Nord, UMR 7268 ADÉS/Aix Marseille Université -EFS- CNRS, Marseille Cedex, France.|Faculté d'Odontologie, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille Cedex, France.
Gérald
G
Maille
Faculté d'Odontologie, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille Cedex, France.
Patrick
P
Tavitian
Faculté de Médecine Nord, UMR 7268 ADÉS/Aix Marseille Université -EFS- CNRS, Marseille Cedex, France.|Faculté d'Odontologie, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille Cedex, France.
Delphine
D
Tardivo
Faculté d'Odontologie, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille Cedex, France.
Olivier
O
Hüe
Faculté de Médecine Nord, UMR 7268 ADÉS/Aix Marseille Université -EFS- CNRS, Marseille Cedex, France.|Faculté d'Odontologie, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille Cedex, France.
Jean-Jacques
JJ
Bonfil
D000375:Aging; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications*
ageing; alveolar bone loss; coronary heart diseases; periodontal destruction; vascular diseases