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Periodontal Disease and Coronary Heart Disease Incidence: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Periodontal disease is common among adults in the US and is a potential source of chronic inflammation. Recent data have suggested an important role for chronic inflammation in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD).

OBJECTIVE

To aid the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in evaluating whether periodontal disease is an independent novel risk factor for incident CHD.

METHODS

Studies were identified by searching Medline (1966 through March 2008) and reviewing prior systematic reviews, reference lists, and consulting experts. Prospective cohort studies that assessed periodontal disease, Framingham risk factors, and coronary heart disease incidence in the general adult population without known CHD were reviewed and quality rated using criteria developed by the USPSTF. Meta-analysis of good and fair quality studies was conducted to determine summary estimates of the risk of CHD events associated with various categories of periodontal disease.

RESULTS

We identified seven articles of good or fair quality from seven cohorts. Several studies found periodontal disease to be independently associated with increased risk of CHD. Summary relative risk estimates for different categories of periodontal disease (including periodontitis, tooth loss, gingivitis, and bone loss) ranged from 1.24 (95% CI 1.01–1.51) to 1.34 (95% CI 1.10–1.63). Risk estimates were similar in subgroup analyses by gender, outcome, study quality, and method of periodontal disease assessment.

CONCLUSION

Periodontal disease is a risk factor or marker for CHD that is independent of traditional CHD risk factors, including socioeconomic status. Further research in this important area of public health is warranted.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Miranda Walker, Tanya Weeks and Craig Fleming, MD, for their contributions on this project, and Andrew Hamilton, MLS, MS, for conducting the literature searches.

Conflicts of Interest

None disclosed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA

    Linda L. Humphrey MD, MPH, Rongwei Fu PhD, David I. Buckley MD, MPH, Michele Freeman MPH & Mark Helfand MD, MPH

  2. Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA

    Linda L. Humphrey MD, MPH, David I. Buckley MD, MPH & Mark Helfand MD, MPH

  3. Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA

    Linda L. Humphrey MD, MPH & Mark Helfand MD, MPH

  4. Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA

    Linda L. Humphrey MD, MPH & Rongwei Fu PhD

  5. Emergency Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA

    Rongwei Fu PhD

  6. Family Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA

    David I. Buckley MD, MPH

  7. Oregon Health & Science University, Hospital and Specialty Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA

    Linda L. Humphrey MD, MPH & Mark Helfand MD, MPH

  8. Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Linda L. Humphrey MD, MPH

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  1. Linda L. Humphrey MD, MPH
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  2. Rongwei Fu PhD
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Correspondence to Linda L. Humphrey MD, MPH.

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Humphrey, L.L., Fu, R., Buckley, D.I. et al. Periodontal Disease and Coronary Heart Disease Incidence: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J GEN INTERN MED 23, 2079–2086 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-008-0787-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-008-0787-6

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