Relationship between aortic atherosclerosis and dental loss in an inner-city population

Prior studies have suggested an association between atherosclerosis and periodontal disease, both of which are more prevalent in certain minority and economically disadvantaged groups. Few studies have addressed the relationship between cardiovascular disease and dentition among ethnically diverse populations. We studied 131 subjects (60% females, age 59 +/- 15 years) who were referred for clinically indicated transesophageal echocardiography. Dental loss was more severe in patients with hypertension (P < .001), diabetes (P = .05), coronary artery disease (P = .04), and calcium channel blocker use (P = .04). On univariate analysis, maximal aortic intima-media thickness (MAIMT) was significantly correlated with dental loss (r = .40; P < .001). Age was correlated with MAIMT (R = .41; P < .001) and with dental loss (r = .57; P < .001). On multivariate analysis, dental loss (P = .03) and history of coronary artery disease (P = .04) were independent predictors of MAIMT ( R2 = .44). In this inner-city predominantly African American population, atherosclerosis and dental loss are age dependent and are interrelated independent of age.