Doughan, Maria

Introduction: Periodontal disease (PD) is an acquired disorder characterized by inflammation of the gums, resulting eventually in loss of teeth. Epidemiological studies have shown a link between PD and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aim of this study is to evaluate differences in the prevalence of CVD amongst US patients with PD of different age, race and sex. Method: Using the US national in-patient sample database (NIS) from 2005-2014, patients with PD and CVD were identified. Results: 155,732 hospitalizations with PD were included in the study, of which 36.5% had at least one CVD. Ischemic heart disease was the most prevalent CVD (17.6%), followed by heart failure (10.9%), atrial fibrillation/flutter (10.1%) and cerebrovascular disease (CRVD) (9.7%). The overall in-hospital mortality was higher in PD patients with CVD (2.6% vs 1.2%, p<0.0001). Figure 1C highlights the prevalence of various subtypes of CVD among different gender. When stratifying hospitalized patients with PD and CVD based on race and age, there was higher prevalence of CVD among Asians and Pacific Islanders (42.4%) (Figure 1A-B) and with increasing age (≥70, 56-69, and 18-55; 67.4% vs 50.1% vs 20.3%, p<0.001, respectively). Significant increase trends in the prevalence of AF, HF, and CRVD in the young, middle, and older age group was noted (P-trend<0.001) (Figure1A). Conclusion: CVD is prevalent in patients with PD and is more common in males and among Asians and Pacific Islanders. Higher mortality was reported among hospitalized PD patients with CVD. An increase in trend in the prevalence of AF, HF, and CRVD was noted across all age groups. This may require age, race, and gender specific strategies in PD patients for primary prevention of different CVD.