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Association between periodontal disease and stroke.
George S Sfyroeras1, Nikolaos Roussas, Vassileios G Saleptsis
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|January 17, 2012
Summary
This meta-analysis reveals a significant association between periodontitis (gum disease) and an increased risk of stroke. Further research is needed due to study variations.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health and Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Periodontitis is a prevalent human infection.
- Existing evidence suggests a link between periodontitis and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), including stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between periodontal disease and CVD.
- To conduct a meta-analysis of observational studies examining stroke risk in periodontitis patients.
Main Methods:
- Systematic electronic literature search of PubMed for relevant English studies.
- Meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective studies reporting stroke risk in periodontitis patients.
- Inclusion of studies with hemorrhagic and ischemic cerebrovascular events, fatal and nonfatal.
Main Results:
- Six prospective and seven retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria.
- Overall adjusted stroke risk was 1.47 times higher in periodontitis patients from prospective studies (95% CI, 1.13-1.92; P = .0035).
- Overall adjusted stroke risk was 2.63 times higher in periodontitis patients from retrospective studies (95% CI, 1.59-4.33; P = .0002).
Conclusions:
- Periodontitis is associated with an elevated risk of stroke.
- Study heterogeneity and variations in periodontitis definitions warrant cautious interpretation of results.
- Further investigation is recommended to clarify the relationship between periodontal disease and cerebrovascular events.
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