Patients with periodontitis and erectile dysfunction suffer a greater incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events: A prospective study in a Spanish population

Background Periodontitis and erectile dysfunction (ED) have been linked with cardiovascular disease. The association of periodontitis and ED with the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events has not been previously assessed. The aim of this study was to determine if the presence of periodontitis and ED has any effect on the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Methods Male patients that attended the Urology service were enrolled in a prospective study. Erectile dysfunction was diagnosed according to the International Index of Erectile Function. Sociodemographic data and periodontal clinical parameters were gathered (pocket probing depth, clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing (BoP), plaque index and number of teeth) at baseline. Major adverse cardiovascular events occurred both before and during the follow-up time were registered. Bivariate analyses, as well as a multivariate analysis were performed, adjusting for potential confounders. Results A total of 158 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 4.2 years. A greater number of major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in the group that presented periodontitis and ED (P = 0.038). After adjusting by age and previous cardiovascular disease in the multivariate analysis, the annual major adverse cardiovascular event rate was estimated to be 3.7 times higher in the same group (P = 0.049). Other periodontal clinical variables together with ED supported these results and were close to statistical significance. Conclusions Patients with periodontitis and ED, adjusted by age and a cardiovascular disease, showed 3.7 times more risk of suffering major adverse cardiovascular events after mean follow-up of 4.2 years.