Periodontal disease as a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction. A case-control study in Goans highlighting a review of the literature

Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association between periodontal health and acute myocardial infarction ( AMI) in a case- control design. Materials and methods A total of 500 patients, 250 with AMI and 250 with coronary heart disease ( CHD) were included in this study. The patients in the AMI group were admitted in the department of Medicine, Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim- Goa because of AMI. The patients in the CHD group had no documented history of recent acute coronary events. Medical history was taken and data on serum lipid values, decayed teeth, missing teeth, filled teeth, probing depth ( PD), simplified oral hygiene index ( OHI- S) and bleeding on probing ( BOP) were recorded. Sample proportions were compared by Pearson's chi-square test and quantitative variables with Student's t-test. The relation of clinical parameters and conventional risk factors with AMI was assessed with multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results All the serum lipids and dental parameters were statistically different between AMI and CHD groups ( p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum lipids, number of decayed teeth, mean PD, percentage of sites with BOP, and oral hygiene were significantly associated with AMI ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study indicate that periodontal disease may be associated with AMI. We propose that prospective randomised studies are needed to determine whether periodontal disease is a risk factor in the occurrence of AMI.