Association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease that has been increasingly linked to systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The inflammatory burden and bacterial dissemination associated with periodontitis may contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. However, evidence from clinical retrospective cohorts in Chinese populations remains limited. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Baoying Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022. A total of 472 adult patients were included. Clinical and demographic data, periodontal parameters, and cardiovascular histories were collected from hospital records. Patients were classified according to the presence or absence of periodontitis. The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases—including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke—was compared between groups. Multivariate logistic regression and stratified subgroup analyses were performed to identify independent associations between periodontitis and cardiovascular outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, smoking status, diabetes, and body mass index. RESULTS: Among 472 patients, 289 (61.2%) had clinically confirmed periodontitis, while 183 (38.8%) did not. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease was significantly higher in the periodontitis group compared with controls (38.7% vs. 21.3%, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that periodontitis was independently associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (adjusted OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.28–2.72, P = 0.001), even after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Additional predictors included age ≥ 60 years, smoking history, and diabetes. Additional severity-stratified analyses suggested that the association with cardiovascular disease was stronger in patients with stage III/IV and grade C periodontitis than in those with milder disease. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study found a significant association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease after adjustment for conventional risk factors. These findings support the relevance of periodontal health in comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment, although prospective studies are needed to clarify causality and the potential impact of periodontal treatment on cardiovascular outcomes.