Tooth loss and atherosclerosis: the Nagahama Study.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Dental Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Epidemiologic studies suggest a link between oral disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• The clinical significance of this association remains controversial.
• Tooth loss serves as a key indicator of oral disease severity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between tooth loss and arterial stiffness in Japanese adults.
• To evaluate arterial stiffness using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) as a marker of atherosclerosis.
• To determine if sex influences the relationship between tooth loss and arterial stiffness.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 8,124 Japanese adults aged 30-75.
• Comprehensive dental examinations and CVD risk factor measurements.
• Arterial stiffness assessed via cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).
• General linear models used for analysis, adjusting for multiple covariates and including interaction terms for sex and age.

Main Results:

• A positive correlation was found between tooth loss and arterial stiffness (CAVI).
• This association was dependent on sex, with a significant positive correlation observed only in men.
• The interaction term for sex and tooth loss was statistically significant (β = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.06).

Conclusions:

• A linear relationship exists between the degree of tooth loss and arterial stiffness.
• The association between tooth loss and arterial stiffness differs significantly between men and women.
• Oral health status, indicated by tooth loss, may be a relevant factor in cardiovascular health, particularly for men.