Periodontal disease and coronary heart disease risk

Context Research has suggested a relationship between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease (CHD), but data on the association between these 2 common conditions are inconclusive due to the possibility of confounding. Objective To evaluate the risk of CHD in persons with periodontitis, gingivitis, or no periodontal disease. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, conducted in 1982-1984, 1986, 1987, and 1992. Participants A total of 8032 dentate adults aged 25 to 74 years with no reported history of cardiovascular disease, including 1859 individuals with periodontitis, 2421 with gingivitis, and 3752 with healthy periodontal tissues. Main Outcome Measure First occurrence of death from CHD or hospitalization due to CHD, or revascularization procedures, obtained from death certificates and medical records, by baseline periodontal status. Results During follow-up, 1265 individuals had at least 1 CHD event, including CHD fatality (n=468) or at least 1 hospitalization with a diagnosis of CHD (n=1022), including coronary revascularization procedures (n=155). After adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors, gingivitis was not associated with CHD (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval. 0.88-1.26), while periodontitis was associated with a nonsignificant increased risk for CHD event (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-1.36). Conclusion This study did not find convincing evidence of a causal association be tween periodontal disease and CHD risk.