Study of common carotid and brachial artery hemodynamic variations in periodontal disease in Central India-a clinical study

Abstract

Background and aim: The linkage between periodontal and systemic diseases although well researched in the scientific area is not universally cognizant among the clinicians. It is critical to bring about the awareness of this interrelationship as oral health is suggestive of systemic health. The aim of this study was a thorough hemodynamic assessment in patients having periodontal disease. Settings and design: This is an observational cross sectional study. The patients were selected from Outpatient Department of Cardiology and Periodontology in a tertiary care hospital in urban setting in Nagpur, India. Methods: The study was conducted on 45 patients aged between 35 and 65 years. Echo-Doppler examination for internal diameter (ID), intima-media thickness (IMT) and blood flow velocity (PSV) measurements was executed in the right and left common carotid artery (CCA) and brachial artery (BA). Periodontal disease status was determined using parameters like Gingival Index, Plaque Index, probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Statistical analysis: Due to multiple comparison groups one-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni multiple comparison tests have been performed to conduct all possible pair-wise comparisons of means. Results: The present study showed that Carotid IMT and ID were high in the patients having cardiovascular disease (CVD) and periodontitis as compared to CVD alone, showing the additional effect caused by the presence of periodontal disease. Conclusion: The study findings support the proposition that periodontal disease may be associated with endothelial dysfunction which leads to atherosclerosis or hardening of arteries indicating increased cardiovascular risk.