SAN DIEGO – Successful treatment of periodontal disease appears to slow progression of subclinical cardiovascular disease, Anders Holmlund, D.D.S., reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology.
Previous studies have described an association between periodontal disease and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This new Swedish observational study breaks fresh ground in showing for the first time that among patients who seek treatment for periodontal disease, treatment responders have an adjusted 28% lower risk of future fatal or nonfatal MI, stroke, or heart failure than that of nonresponders, according to Dr. Holmlund of Uppsala (Sweden) University.
Courtesy Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat
He reported on 5,298 individuals with periodontal disease who were referred to a specialized university periodontal clinic for treatment. Twenty percent were classified as treatment nonresponders, meaning that 1 year after beginning active treatment, more than 20% of their initial problem gum pockets remained at least 5 mm deep and at least one in five of their pockets exhibited bleeding upon probing.
Analysis of Swedish comprehensive national registries showed that during a median of 16.8 years of follow-up, the incidence of new-onset cardiovascular disease was 21.6% in the periodontal treatment nonresponders, compared with 16.3% in responders.
Upon adjustment for patient demographics, smoking, education level, baseline number of teeth, number of pockets 5 mm deep or more, and bleeding upon probing, the treatment responders had a 28% lower risk of fatal or nonfatal MI, stroke, or heart failure.
Dr. Holmlund reported having no financial conflicts regarding this study, which was funded by governmental and university research grants.