Relação da doença periodontal com espessura da parede íntima-média da artéria carótida

Abstract

Chronic infections and inflammation are considered risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies indicate that severe periodontitis may increase proinflammatory cytokines and markers of inflammation associated with increased risk of coronary disease and stroke. The intima-media layer thickness of the carotid artery is considered a risk marker for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontal disease and the myo-intimal thickening of carotid arteries. Noninvasive measurements of the intima-media of the common, internal and external carotid artery bilaterally were made in 217 subjects with mean age of 62.28 (SD:10.37). Tooth loss and clinical parameters of periodontal disease such as pocket depth and attachment level obtained from six sites of every tooth were recorded. Also, an interview was conducted about medical and dental history. The results indicated chronic generalized periodontitis was more prevalent in individuals with plaque (61,36%) and subclinical atherosclerosis (21,59%) than less extensive periodontal disease (P=0,0001). The severity of periodontal disease was also prevalent in the stenotic group (58,82%) compared to the mild/moderate periodontitis group (P=0,0242). Additionally, fewer teeth (P=0.0007) were also more prevalent in the group with stenosis. Thus we can conclude that this study found the association between partial stenosis in the intima-media wall of carotidio system (atheromatous plaques) and subclinical atherosclerosis and the extent and severity of chronic generalized periodontal disease and numbers of teeth.