Source
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Department of Internal Medicine, School of Dentistry, Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-0363, USA. mrubenfi@umich.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Evidence exists that coronary heart disease is influenced by anaerobic bacterial flora and gingival inflammation. We assessed the association of periodontal bacteria, coronary artery disease, and acute coronary events.
METHODS:
The benzoyl-DL-arginine naphthylamide test, which detects several periodontal pathogens, and the papillary bleeding score were used to quantify gingival health. Participants with coronary heart disease (n=245) presenting with (n=92) and without an acute coronary syndrome were compared with persons seeking dental treatment (University dental, n=195) and a healthy cohort (Healthy dental, n=156).
RESULTS:
An 'infection', defined by a positive benzoyl-DL-arginine naphthylamide test score in>or=50% of sampled sites, was present in 408 participants. Compared with Healthy dental, the odds ratio for coronary heart disease having an infection was 8.6 (95% confidence interval, 4.0-18.4) and for University dental odds ratio=16 (95% confidence interval, 6.5-39.5). Patients with an acute coronary syndrome at the time of benzoyl-DL-arginine naphthylamide sampling were 3.95 times more likely to have an infection compared with coronary heart disease patients with no history of acute coronary syndrome (P=0.003), a finding independent of other covariates.
CONCLUSIONS:
Persons with coronary heart disease, particularly associated with an acute coronary syndrome, have anaerobic bacterial dental flora similar to individuals seeking periodontal dental care, and unlike periodontally healthy individuals.