Oral health conditions and cardiovascular diseases in elderly italian patient

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between oral health status and presence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in elderly patients. METHODS: The study population consisted of 533 patients (308 females, 225 males) aged 65 to 98 years. The mean age of patients was 73.93 (±7.8 standard deviation (SD)). Patients were asked to visit the Geriatric Dentistry Department of “Policlinico Umberto I” of Rome for a routine check of their oral health status. All subjects gave informed, signed consent to participate in the study. A predesigned medical history questionnaire including social status, habits, medical history, general health and drug assumption were filled by each patient. Medical history, particularly focused on CV D and common atherosclerotic risk factors (arterial hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, etc.) have been recorded. Dental status was detected measuring the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) indexes. Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI ) was also used to evaluate masticatory function, oral self-perception and psychosocial impact on patients. The chi-square test with a 95% confidence level was used to assess qualitative variables. Odds ratios (ORs) and stepwise logistic regression were used to calculate risk estimates; the independent variables: age, gender, DMFT, CPI index, GOHAI index score, and tooth loss were included in the statistical model. P value <0.05 was considered a statistically significant cut-off. RESULT S:S: The mean of the DMFT was 13.8 (SD: 7.1). Among all patients, 8.6% (n = 46) had more than 12 decayed teeth, 43.7% (n = 233) had more than 12 missing teeth. A total of 122 patients (52.4%) had more than 18 missing teeth. No difference between females and males was seen in DMFT and CPI index. GOHAI data were worst for females and it significantly decreased with age. Vascular diseases affected 69.8% of subjects (n = 372). Patients with CVD had less education and oral care (P < 0.05), higher CPI index and lower of filled teeth (P < 0.05). Moreover, the number of missing teeth was higher in patients with vascular disease and patients with more than 18 missing teeth have 2.5 times greater risk of CVD. CVDs are also associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, underweight, and obesity (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: From the finding of this study, it can be confirmed a significant link between CVD and oral health. A cooperation among geriatrician, cardiologist, and dentist is suitable to counteract the development of CVD and to early identify patients risk of CVD.