Periodontitis and Myocardial Infarction Risk: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the association of periodontitis and Myocardial Infarction (MI) and contributes as a potential risk factor for its incidence. Methodology: This multi-centre, case-control study enrolled 125 participants. Case group comprising of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) = 55, control group consisting of non – AMI = 70. Both groups were assessed for presence of periodontitis along with specific risk factors that were recorded in a modified proforma comprising of questions pertaining to demographics, oral hygiene practices and oral eating habits. Chi-square test was used to assess association and p-value was considered significant at ≤0.05. Results: Periodontitis was found to be prevalent in 71% of Myocardial Infarction (MI) patients with an OR 4.125 (95% CI, 1.934 - 8.797) as compared to 37% in Control (non-Myocardial Infarct). Increasing age, male gender, illiteracy, unemployment/retirement, low socio-economic status, being overweight, no dental visits, and smoking (both duration & frequency) were found to be statistically significantly associated with occurrence of periodontitis and myocardial infarction in the study. Conclusion: Periodontitis was found to be prevalent among the MI patients suggesting a causal link between these two conditions that can be reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle, refraining from smoking, good oral hygiene and visiting a dentist for regular check-up.