The association of gingivitis and periodontitis with ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the associations of different periodontal parameters with cerebral ischemia.

METHODS: In a case-control study, 303 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, and 300 representative population controls received a complete clinical and radiographic dental examination. Patients were examined on average 3 days after ischemia. The individual mean clinical attachment loss measured at four sites per tooth was used as indicator variable for periodontitis.

RESULTS: Patients had higher clinical attachment loss than population (p<0.001). After adjustment for age, gender, number of teeth, vascular risk factors and diseases, childhood and adult socioeconomic conditions and lifestyle factors, a mean clinical attachment loss >6 mm had a 7.4 times (95% confidence interval 1.55-15.3) a gingival index >1.2 a 18.3 times (5.84-57.26) and a radiographic bone loss a 3.6 times (1.58-8.28) higher risk of cerebral ischemia than subjects without periodontitis or gingivitis, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Periodontitis is an independent risk factor for cerebral ischemia and acute exacerbation of inflammatory processes in the periodontium might be a trigger for the event of cerebral ischemia.