Assessment of Cardiologists' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Calcium Channel Blocker-Induced Gingival...

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are widely used in cardiovascular disease management; however, calcium channel blocker-induced gingival overgrowth remains an underrecognized adverse effect that may impair oral hygiene, exacerbate periodontal inflammation, cause functional and esthetic problems, and potentially affect adherence to cardiovascular therapy. This study aimed to evaluate cardiologists' knowledge, awareness, and clinical practices regarding DIGO and to explore factors influencing preventive behaviors.

This cross-sectional, survey-based study included 139 cardiologists in Türkiye. A structured 25-item questionnaire assessed demographics, oral health awareness, prescribing habits, and clinical practices. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of preventive counseling and oral-focused history taking.

A total of 139 cardiologists participated in the study. Of these, 74.8% were male, and the most common age group was 40-49 years (37.4%). Within the past year, 66.9% had undergone a dental examination, and 47.5% reported a history of periodontal treatment. Knowledge of DIGO pathogenesis was reported by 41.3% of participants, whereas 31.2% stated they had no knowledge. Only 22.3% of cardiologists reported providing preventive oral health advice, while 61.2% referred patients after complications developed. Multivariable analysis revealed that knowledge of DIGO mechanisms was inversely associated with preventive counseling (OR = 0.44, p = 0.004), whereas prior oral health training showed a non-significant but clinically relevant positive trend (OR = 2.24, p = 0.061). Similarly, knowledge-related variables were not positively associated with oral-focused anamnesis.

Cardiologists' awareness of DIGO remains limited, and their preventive practices are inadequate. The findings reveal a critical knowledge-behavior gap, indicating that increased awareness does not necessarily translate into preventive clinical practice. Interventions targeting behavioral change and structured interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to improve early recognition and management of DIGO.