Lesions of endodontic origin and risk of coronary heart disease

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts

Abstract

Endodontic lesions were associated with a shorter time to subsequent coronary heart disease (CHD) diagnosis in younger men.

Main

Caplan DJ, Chasen JB et al. J Dent Res 2006; 85: 996–1000

There is little evidence on the relationship of endodontic problems and CHD. In this study, records of 708 men followed for up to 32 years in an American epidemiological programme were examined. Lesions of endodontic origin (LEOs) were identified from radiographs taken at 3-yearly intervals, and related to CHD diagnoses.

Mean age of subjects at baseline was 47 yrs, and median follow-up was 24 yrs. LEOs were present in 250 subjects, and 166 experienced CHD during follow-up. Subjects were divided into 2 groups above and below age 45 yrs at baseline. In subjects up to 45 yrs old, multivariate regression analysis adjusted for a number of confounding factors showed a significant relationship between the LEOs and the speed of subsequent development of CHD. In older subjects, no relationship was found. The authors note that there may be unidentified factors confounding the analysis.