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Chronic periodontitis is associated with lacunar infarct: a case-control study
Y Leira1,2, I López-Dequidt3, S Arias3
1Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. yagoleira@gmail.com.
Insights
Chronic periodontitis is significantly linked to lacunar infarct in the elderly. This study found a strong association between gum disease and stroke, even after accounting for common vascular risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Oral Health
Background:
- Chronic periodontitis (ChP) and lacunar infarct (LI) are prevalent conditions in older adults.
- Existing research links ischemic stroke with ChP, but the ChP-LI relationship is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between chronic periodontitis and the presence of lacunar infarct.
- To determine if ChP is an independent risk factor for LI.
Main Methods:
- An age- and gender-matched case-control study.
- Involved 62 subjects with LI (cases) and 60 controls.
- Assessed periodontal measures and risk factors via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- ChP showed a strong association with LI (OR 4.20, P=0.001) after adjusting for vascular risk factors.
- Severe ChP also demonstrated a significant association with LI (OR 3.53, P=0.04), independent of other covariates.
Conclusions:
- Chronic periodontitis is independently associated with lacunar infarct in the elderly.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
Background And Purpose:
Chronic periodontitis (ChP) and lacunar infarct (LI) are two common diseases amongst the elderly. Although several studies have shown an association between ischaemic stroke and ChP, little is known about the relationship between ChP and LI. The study aims to investigate whether ChP is associated with the presence of lacunar stroke.
Methods:
An age- and gender-matched case-control study of 62 cases (subjects diagnosed with LI) and 60 controls is reported. Clinical periodontal measures (probing pocket depth, recession, clinical attachment level, full mouth plaque score and full mouth gingival bleeding on probing score) were assessed, and associated risk factors for periodontitis and lacunar stroke were ascertained by means of a structured questionnaire.
Results:
Chronic periodontitis showed a strong association with LI after adjusting for common vascular risk factors (odds ratio 4.20; 95% confidence interval 1.81-10.20; P = 0.001). Likewise, severe ChP and LI also tended to be significantly associated, independent of other vascular covariates (odds ratio 3.53; 95% confidence interval 1.07-12.77; P = 0.04).
Conclusions:
Chronic periodontitis was independently associated with the presence of LI after adjusting for well-known vascular risk factors for lacunar stroke. Further observational studies are necessary to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms that can explain this relationship.
