Dental plaque, Microorganisms, Periodontitis, and Carotid Plaque, a Longitudinal Study

Objective: The aim was to study periodontal pathogens and changes in periodontal disease, as well as presence of carotid plaque in a 16-year longitudinal study

Methods: The present study comprises 126 subjects (mean age 52 years), 16 periodontally healthy 1985 and found to have chronic periodontitis 2001(H-D), 79 with chronic periodontitis 1985 and 2001 (D-D), as well as 31 without periodontitis 1985 and 2001(H-H). Oral clinical examination was carried out 1985 and 2001. Samples were collected 2001 to detect the presence or absence of the microorganisms Aggregibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.), Prevotella intermedia (P.i.), Prevotella nigresence (P.n.), and Tannerella forsythensis (T.f.). Ultrasonographic measurement was used for determination of common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), and intima media area (cIMA). Statistical methods used, Students t-test, Analysis of variance, Fisherxs exact t-test.

Results: For dental plaque index there was statistically significant difference between subjects in the H-H group and H-D group 2001(p<0.001). In subjects in the D-D group P.i. and T.f. were detected significantly more often compared to H-H group (p<0.003 and p<0.004 respectively). Significantly more subjects in the D-D group harboured T. f. than subjects in the H-D group (p=0.05). In the H-D group T.f. was significantly more often found than in the H-H group (p<0.001). IMT and cIMA were significantly higher in the D-D group than in the H-H group (p<0.001) as well as between H-H and H-D groups (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). Atherosclerotic plaque was significantly more often present in the H-D group than in the H-H group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Increased amount of dental plaque and chronic periodontitis developed after middle ages seem to rapidly increase the thickness of the carotid vessel walls and particularly formation of atherosclerotic plaque.

Acknowledgements: Supported by the Karolinska Institutet Sunstar fondation, Inc. Japan, and Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation Helsinki, Finland