Periodontal Disease and Risk of Cerebral Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Objectives: In this study we investigated the association of periodontal disease including periodontitis and gingivitis - classified as inflammatory periodontal disease- with cerebral ischemia. Methods: In a case-control study, 100 patients with acute ischemic stroke; 50 healthy hospital staff and 50 hospitalized patients without previous history of stroke as controls received complete periodontal examinations within 3.2 and 2.9 days after admission respectively. The individual mean Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) measured at 4 sites of each tooth served as the main indicator for periodontitis. Results: Patients had higher loss of attachment than controls (P= 0.048), whereas gingivitis was not associated with the risk of cerebral ischemia (P= 0.35). The more severe periodontitis (CAL >= 6 mm) was detected among men in patients with cerebral ischemia (P= 0.012). Conclusions: This study indicates that periodontitis, a treatable condition, is an independent risk factor for cerebral ischemia, especially in men.