an evaluation of the possible relationship between chronic periodontitis and hypertension.

BACKGROUND

Periodontal diseases have been reported to have a form of reciprocal relationship with the general systemic health, in which case those with some systemic diseases such as hypertension have poorer periodontal health and vice versa. The issue of causal or casual relationship is however yet to be finally resolved.

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine any possible relationship between chronic periodontitis and cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional assessment of cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference and the carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) was done among 100 consecutive subjects in the echocardiogram unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria over a period of six months. These cardiovascular risk factors were compared with periodontal parameters such as Simplified Oral Hygiene index (OHI-S), Gingival index (GI) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI).

RESULTS

The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the respondents ranged from 98 - 210 mm Hg with a mean of 133.1 ± 15 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 60 - 136 mm Hg with a mean of 84.6 ± 6.4 mm Hg. There was a statistically significant relationship between the systolic blood pressure and oral hygiene index (P< 0.000), diastolic blood pressure and oral hygiene index (P < 0.010) and mean carotid artery intima media thickness and oral hygiene index (P< 0.012) among the respondents.

CONCLUSION

In view of the significant relationship between the blood pressure and the mean carotid artery intima media thickness, when compared with the oral hygiene status of respondents in this study, more emphasis should be laid on regular preventive dental visit as a way of decreasing cardiovascular health risk.