Association between periodontal disease and subclinical atherosclerosis: the ELSA-Brasil study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontal disease and increased thickness of the carotid artery intima-media complex. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 220 adults (age ≥ 35 years) among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Carotid artery ultrasound and periodontal clinical examinations were conducted and included visible plaque index, gingival bleeding on probing index, probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Individuals with increased carotid artery thickness showed fewer teeth and higher frequency of CAL ≥ 3mm, CAL ≥ 4mm, CAL ≥ 5mm, and CAL ≥ 6mm and PPD ≥ 4mm (p < 0.05). Despite the use of 18 definitions for periodontal disease, only one confirmed the hypothesis of an association between periodontal disease and subclinical atherosclerosis. Individuals with 10% or more sites with CAL ≥ 4mm were more likely to present carotid thickening.