title: C-reactive protein levels and the association of carotid artery calcification with tooth loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relationship between carotid artery calcification (CAC) and tooth loss was investigated and its association with inflammatory mediator levels was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two participants were examined for health and periodontal status. Panoramic radiographs were obtained for CAC identification. C-reactive protein (CRP), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen participants (16.3%) had CAC, 12 (80.0%) of whom were female. Mean age of participants with CAC was 55.3 ± 12.2 years, while that of participants without CAC was 48.9 ± 9.4 years. Median number of tooth loss in participants with CAC was 11, whereas that of individuals without CAC was 3 (P = 0.008). Age and presence of CAC were associated with the number of tooth loss, independent of health status (β = 0.452, P = <0.001 and β = 0.257, P = 0.005). Based on CRP levels, 10 participants (71.4%) were at intermediate risk of coronary heart disease (range, 1.0-2.3 μg ml-1), while four participants (28.6%) were at low risk (<1.0 μg ml-1). CRP, ICAM-1, or VCAM-1 levels were not significantly related to the presence of CAC or tooth loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with higher tooth loss have a greater prevalence of CAC. Patients with CAC should be referred for medical consultation.
authors: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Thanakun
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Pornprasertsuk-Damrongsri
authors: Department of Periodontology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.|Global Center of Excellence Program for Tooth and Bone Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Izumi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: C-reactive protein; adhesion molecule; carotid artery; periodontal diseases; tooth loss