1. Walid Altayeb*, Mohammad Atef Darwiche*, Razan Khattab*,
Mofeed Jokhadar†, and Fawza Moniem‡
Background: The role of periodontitis as an independent risk factor for
cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been under debate because of the inconsistency of
findings across studies.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify this association between
atherosclerosis caused to cardiovascular disease and periodontitis.
Methods: 581 patients aged between (30-70 years), were diagnosed for
Atherosclerosis angiographically in department of cardiology, Alasad Hospital,
Damascus University. The subjects were assessed by using the Community
Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). The levels of plasma lipids (CHL,
TG, HDL, LDL) and white blood cell count WBC were measured. Eleven
periodontopathic bacterial DNA was detected in subgingival and atherosclerotic
lesions in patients who were scheduled to undergo surgery for coronary and carotid
artery bypass.
Results: The odds ratio of having Atherosclerosis and periodontitis was 2.85. The
odds ratio remained significant also when the other risk factors were excluded. The
frequency of persons with pathologic values of CHL, LDL, and TG were significantly
higher in periodontitis patients compared with controls. The periodontopathic
bacterial load in subgingival and atherosclerotic plaque samples were higher in 10
periodontitis patients compared with 9 healthy subjects. The pathogens most
frequently found in subgingival sites were also found in atherosclerotic lesions
especially Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Conclusion: The study showed epidemiological association between periodontitis and
cardiovascular disease. Periodontitis produce a variety of changes in Serological
levels, some of which involve established risk factors for atherosclerosis like
lipidemia. Asymptomatic bacteremia due to periodontopathic gram-negative bacteria
may be an etiologic factor in cardiovascular plaque accumulation or may accelerate
plaque progression.
Key words: Periodontitis, cardiovascular, atherosclerosis, bacteria.
Financial support: Damascus University
Corresponding author: Walid Altayeb D.D.S, M.D.S, Ph.D
Email: walid.t@aloola.sy
* Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, Syria.
† Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of medicine, Damascus University, Syria.
‡ Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Syria.