The association of gingivitis and periodontitis with ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the associations of different periodontal parameters with cerebral ischemia.

METHODS

In a case-control study, 303 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, and 300 representative population controls received a complete clinical and radiographic dental examination. Patients were examined on average 3 days after ischemia. The individual mean clinical attachment loss measured at four sites per tooth was used as indicator variable for periodontitis.

RESULTS

Patients had higher clinical attachment loss than population (p<0.001). After adjustment for age, gender, number of teeth, vascular risk factors and diseases, childhood and adult socioeconomic conditions and lifestyle factors, a mean clinical attachment loss >6 mm had a 7.4 times (95% confidence interval 1.55-15.3) a gingival index >1.2 a 18.3 times (5.84-57.26) and a radiographic bone loss a 3.6 times (1.58-8.28) higher risk of cerebral ischemia than subjects without periodontitis or gingivitis, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Periodontitis is an independent risk factor for cerebral ischemia and acute exacerbation of inflammatory processes in the periodontium might be a trigger for the event of cerebral ischemia.