Chronic periodontitis and incident coronary heart disease: a prospective cohort study
Gum disease is caused by bacteria that build up on the teeth, resulting in dental plaque. As the plaque progresses, the gum comes away from the teeth leaving pockets into which bacteria spread, causing inflammation and infection. During normal activities such as eating and tooth brushing, bacteria from these pockets can get into the blood stream and could contribute to changes in the coronary arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. Professor Gerard Linden and colleagues are studying men taking part in a study called PRIME, which is following middle-aged men over a ten year period, looking for causes of heart disease. They want to find out if gum disease is linked with an increase in new coronary heart disease events, such as heart attacks and strokes. Between 2001 and 2004 they examined the gum tissue of 1,400 men taking part in the study in Northern Ireland. This grant will complete the ten year follow-up of these men and will reveal if gum disease is associated with an increased chance of coronary heart disease developing. Because gum disease can be treated and prevented by early advice and intervention, it may reveal a new, simple way of reducing heart disease risk.
Project details
| Grant amount | £190,165 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 09 October 2014 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/14/9/30632 |
| Status | Complete |
