Health Condition Linked to Periodontal Disease
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- Published: Monday, 13 February 2023 10:04
- Written by Peter Ingle
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The links between gum disease and other health conditions such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease are now well established. New research from the University of Hiroshima has found a correlation between periodontal disease and atrial fibrosis. This damage to the left atrium can cause atrial fibrillation (AF). The study involved 76 patients with heart disease.
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the research was based upon the hypothesis that periodontal disease is associated with long- standing inflammation and this then plays a key role in atrial fibrosis and development of AF.
In a histological study of left atrial appendages they set out to clarify the relationship between the subjects’ clinical periodontitis status, and degree of atrial fibrosis.
The left atrial appendages were surgically removed from the patients, and the researchers analysed the tissue to establish the correlation between severity of the atrial fibrosis and severity of the gum disease. They found that the worse the periodontitis, the worse the fibrosis, suggesting that the inflammation of gums may intensify inflammation and disease in the heart.
"This study provides basic evidence that periodontitis can aggravate atrial fibrosis and can be a novel modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation," said author Yukiko Nakano, professor of cardiovascular medicine in Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences.
According to the researchers, in addition to modifying other risk factors such as weight, activity levels, tobacco and alcohol use, periodontal care could aid in managing AF. They do point out that this study did not establish a causal relationship.
Professor Nakano said, "Further evidence is required for establishing that periodontitis contributes to the atrial fibrosis in a causal manner and that periodontal care can alter fibrosis,". Considering the possible implications of this, she added, "One of our goals is to confirm that periodontitis is a modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation and to promote dental specialists’ participation in comprehensive atrial fibrillation management. Periodontitis is an easily modifiable target with lower cost among known atrial fibrillation risk factors. Thus, the achievement of this study series may bring benefits for many people worldwide."
Next, the researchers said they hope to conduct future clinical trials to clarify if periodontal intervention reduces AF occurrence and improves patient outcomes. In the meantime dental teams eager to motivate their patients, can add to the list of potential benefits to be gained from improving their homecare.
Periodontitis image Credit:Bin im Garten, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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