Association between atherosclerosis and periodontitis Aterosclerosis en sujetos con periodontitis

Chronic infl ammation and infections are involved in the development and progression of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Aim: To evaluate the association between periodontitis and early atherosclerosis. Material and Methods: Fifty-three subjects who received periodontal treatment and regular maintenance for at least 10 years, and 55 subjects with periodontitis but without a history of periodontal treatment were studied. Carotid artery intima-media wall thickness (CIMT) was measured with high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. A blood sample was obtained to measure high sensitivity C-reactive protein, fi brinogen, lipoprotein cholesterol, leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Covariates included age, gender, smoking, level of education, body mass index and physical activity. The benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA) test was used to determine the number of periodontal sites with periodontal pathogens. Results: CIMT value was signifi cantly higher in subjects with peri