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Periodontitis and retinal microcirculation in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study
Author(s) -
Boillot Adrien,
Bouchard Philippe,
Moss Kevin,
Offenbacher Steven,
Czernichow Sébastien
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/jcpe.12388
Subject(s) - medicine , periodontitis , diabetes mellitus , confounding , microcirculation , retinal , gingivitis , cohort , dentistry , ophthalmology , endocrinology
Aim The aim of this cross‐sectional study is to explore if periodontitis is associated with alterations of the retinal microcirculation, a predictive marker of cardiovascular events. Material and Methods Of 457 subjects aged 52 years and more from the ARIC cohort were included. Retinal vascular diameters were measured and summarized as central retinal arteriolar/venular equivalents ( CRAE / CRVE ). Periodontitis was determined by using the CDC / AAP definition. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the relationships between CRAE , CRVE and periodontitis. Results No association was found between CRAE and periodontal status. However, CRVE and severe periodontitis were positively and significantly associated. Mean CRVE (±SD) was 187.0 ± 17.2 μ m in the health‐gingivitis group, and, respectively, 188.5 ± 16.3 μ m ( p = 0.39) and 191.6 ± 16.8 μ m ( p = 0.04) in moderate and severe periodontitis groups, after adjustment for a propensity score based on confounders. Results were consistent when analyses were restricted to participants with diabetes mellitus ( n = 66), but not diabetes‐free subjects. Conclusions Severe periodontitis is associated with larger retinal venular diameter in patients with type 2 diabetes. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of diabetes mellitus on the association between periodontitis and retinal microcirculation.