Oral health status and the occurrence and clinical course of myocardial infarction in hospital phase: A case-control study

Background: Periodontitis may contribute to destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque leadingto acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of the paper was to evaluatethe state of the oral cavity and test the association between chosen parameters of acute,hospital phase MI in patients aged 60 and younger.Methods: We examined patients with acute MI, age 60. Control group consisted of matchedgroup of patients with stable angina. Patients enrolled in the study underwent dental, cardiovascularand biochemical examination. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measuredduring echocardiographic examination, intima-media thickness (IMT) was assessed byultrasonographic examination at the same time.Results: The case group included 112 hospital patients with acute MI. Patients with acuteMI were characterized by higher level of cardiovascular disease risk factors and poor oral healthstatus in comparison to the control group. There was higher prevalence of edentulousness(p = 0.0039) and advanced periodontal disease (APD) (p < 0.0001) in the case group than in thecontrol group. Patients with edentulousness and APD were characterized by the highest levels offi brinogen, interleukine-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, increased IMT and numerous atheroscleroticplaques. Logistic regression analysis revealed association between biomarkers of myocardialinjury, LVEF and chosen periodontal parameter (API, CAL, PDI, BI) and edentulousness.Conclusions: Poor oral health status, especially periodontal disease may infl uence on theoccurrence and clinical course of MI