In recent years a clinical association between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease has become apparent. Studies have suggested a causal mechanism may exist in which inflammation due to periodontitis may promote the atherosclerotic process. This research proposal evaluates this inflammatory burden hypothesis to examine the periodontal and cardiovascular association for clinical evidence of causality.
The specific aims of this proposal include assessing periodontal and cardiovascular risk factors, plasma levels of inflammatory and cardiovascular indicators, and systemic arterial elasticity. The study will use a case control design to examine arterial compliance and inflammatory mediators in cases with periodontitis. The subjects (N=198) will undergo a periodontal exam, a non-invasive arterial compliance measurement, plasma testing of inflammatory mediators, and a health interview. The data will be analyzed categorically using t-testing or ANOVA as well as analyzed continuously using multi-variable regression modeling.
