Gum disease linked to stroke

BOSTON, July 2 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say they have linked periodontitis -- an inflammatory disease of the gums -- to stroke in men.

The study, published in the Annals of Neurology, found a significant association of cardiovascular disease -- in particular, ischemic stroke -- and periodontal bone loss. This association was independent of cardiovascular risk factors and was much stronger among the men younger than age 65.

The study was based on data from 1,137 men in the VA Normative Aging and Dental Longitudinal Study in Boston.

Study leader Thomas Dietrich of the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry in England and Elizabeth Krall of the Boston University School of Dental Medicine said the study participants were given full mouth X-rays and periodontal probing at each tooth every three years. Follow-up exams went on for an average of 24 years.

The study found that only periodontal bone loss, which would indicate a history of periodontal disease, not probing depth, which would indicate current inflammation, was associated with the incidence of cerebrovascular disease.