Oral health status and the occurrence and clinical course of myocardial infarction in hospital phase: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND Periodontitis may contribute to destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque leading to acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of the paper was to evaluate the state of the oral cavity and test the association between chosen parameters of acute, hospital phase MI in patients aged 60 and younger. METHODS We examined patients with acute MI, age 60. Control group consisted of matched group of patients with stable angina. Patients enrolled in the study underwent dental, cardiovascular and biochemical examination. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured during echocardiographic examination, intima-media thickness (IMT) was assessed by ultrasonographic examination at the same time. RESULTS The case group included 112 hospital patients with acute MI. Patients with acute MI were characterized by higher level of cardiovascular disease risk factors and poor oral health status in comparison to the control group. There was higher prevalence of edentulousness (p = 0.0039) and advanced periodontal disease (APD) (p < 0.0001) in the case group than in the control group. Patients with edentulousness and APD were characterized by the highest levels of fi brinogen, interleukine-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, increased IMT and numerous atherosclerotic plaques. Logistic regression analysis revealed association between biomarkers of myocardial injury, LVEF and chosen periodontal parameter (API, CAL, PDI, BI) and edentulousness. CONCLUSIONS Poor oral health status, especially periodontal disease may infl uence on the occurrence and clinical course of MI.