title: Multiple tooth loss is associated with vascular cognitive impairment in subjects with acute ischemic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Emerging evidence shows that tooth loss is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a common consequence of ischemic stroke. This study investigated the association of tooth loss with VCI in patients with acute stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 161 subjects with acute ischemic stroke were recruited. Within 1 wk after admission, fasting blood tests were undertaken and the number of teeth present was recorded. VCI was evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients with loss of ≥ 8 teeth exhibited significantly lower MoCA values as compared to those with loss of ≤ 7 teeth (13.2 ± 6.6 vs. 17.3 ± 6.0, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that loss of ≥ 8 teeth (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2-7.9, p = 0.02) and stroke history (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.1-14.1, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with VCI (MoCA score ≤ 20.0).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study, the current findings provide the first evidence that multiple tooth loss is independently associated with VCI in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Private dental practice, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, the Affiliated Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasonography, the Affiliated Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia; D003072:Cognition Disorders; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke; D016388:Tooth Loss
keywords: acute ischemic stroke; periodontal disease; tooth loss; vascular cognitive impairment