RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD) and periodontal disease (PD). METHOD: Forty-five patients with CAD (CAD group) and 40 patients without CAD (control group) were compared with their pathological changes of periodontal tissues and inflammatory markers [high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)]. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that the prevalence of PD was 84.44% in CAD group and 22.50% in control group (P < 0.01). The levels of hsCRP, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha were (5.75 +/- 1.26) mg/L, (10.32 +/- 2.96) ng/L, and (9.17 +/- 2.14) ng/L in CAD group and (1.13 +/- 0.73) mg/ L, (2.87 +/- 1.45) ng/L, and (5.84 +/- 1.96) ng/L in control group (P < 0.01). Gingival index and plaque index were statistically different between two both groups (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that in addition to pulse pressure and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, periodontal disease index was a higher risk factor of CAD. Its relative risk was 1.217 (95% CI was 1.120-1.805, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PD can cause CAD. The improvement of public oral health plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of CAD.