Oral Health Status and Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Background:

Oral health is an integral part of general health and periodontal disease may contribute to destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque leading to acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction (MI). Objective: To study the state of oral health status in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to compare this with that of a provably healthy control group.

Patients and Methods: A total of 80 patients with AMI were studied for their oral health status included dental status, plaque, gingival inflammation, periodontal situation, and tooth loss. High sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipids levels including serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TAG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured in these patients; their age range was (60-75) years and compared with 40 healthy controls.

Results: There was a significant increase in serum hs-CRP and all lipid profile except HDL-C which was significantly decreased in AMI patients as compared with the controls, (P < 0.0001). Also, several oral diseases such as periodontitis, gingival inflammation, and plaque besides missing teeth and crowns are seen among these patients.

Conclusions: It can be concluded that poor oral health status, especially periodontal disease may influence on the occurrence and clinical course of MI.

Keywords: Oral diseases, acute myocardial infarction, C-reactive protein.