Biomedical subjects

Denis F Kinane

Publications and source records attributed to Denis F Kinane.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Is periodontitis associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and preterm and/or low birth weight births?

The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and preterm and/or low birth weight deliveries (PLBW). A literature search was performed to identify cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies as well as clinical trials addressing different aspects of periodontal disease (clinical, microbial, immunological) and clinical outcomes of CHD or PLBW. The periodontitis-CHD association was evaluated in eight cohort, four case-control- and four cross-sectional studies. Meta-analysis was not performed due to the extensive heterogeneity of the studies, particularly with regard to periodontitis measures, which varied from full mouth probing assessments to questionnaires. Percentage-wise, 50% of the cohort studies (4/8), 75% of the case-control studies (3/4) and 50% of the cross-sectional studies (2/4) reported a significant association between clinical measures of periodontitis and CHD (excess risk ranged from 0 to 3.3-fold). The periodontitis-PLBW association was evaluated in one cohort and two case-control studies. The cohort study as well as one of the two case-control studies reported a significant association between periodontitis and PLBW (odds ratios 4.4-7.9). From two additional case-control studies microbiological data could be extracted. Bacteroides forsythus was found to be associated with PLBW in both studies. In conclusion, the evidence linking periodontitis with an increased risk for CHD and PLBW is limited. There is a clear need for new, well designed observational and intervention studies to confirm the thus far observed associations, explore the validity of the associations in diverse populations, establish whether they are causal in nature and determine potential benefits of periodontal intervention in reducing the risk for these conditions.

Coronary Disease↗

PubMed2002

Immune processes in periodontal disease: a review.

The inflammatory and immune processes in periodontitis are complex and, although a great deal of information is available, many questions remain. Variation in human susceptibility to periodontitis has long been accepted, but the pathological basis of this is poorly understood. Similarly, we know little of the differences, if any, between the pathology of chronic and aggressive periodontitis. Genetics and environmental influences play a role in the susceptibility process, but if and how that translates through the immune and inflammatory processes to produce the plasma cell-dominated lesions seen in periodontitis remain to be elucidated. This review will focus on immunological aspects of the inflammatory changes seen in gingivitis and periodontitis, addressing both humoral and cellular responses to the microbial insult from dental plaque. A tendency for an individual or site to form an extensive plasma cell infiltrate may indicate an inability to defend against periodontopathogens and thus a predisposition to periodontitis. The issues to be considered include: 1) homing of immune and inflammatory cells to target tissues; 2) their local proliferation and synthetic activity; 3) the cytokine profile of the leukocytes; 4) the immunoglobulin subclasses of locally produced antibodies; 5) mucosal and systemic immune characteristics of the response; 6) the humoral immune response in periodontal health and disease states; and 7) the antigenic target of the immune response in periodontal lesions.

Cell Proliferation↗

PubMed2002

Periodontal health and systemic disorders.

Recent studies in periodontal medicine suggest a mild to moderate association between human periodontal disease and certain systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, pneumonia, heart disease and preterm birth. The latest evidence, presented at a symposium entitled Periodontal Health and Systemic Disorders, sponsored by the University of Western Ontario School of Dentistry, showed that indeed such an association is likely. New data suggest that this association is not indicated by traditional clinical signs of periodontal disease but rather by a cluster of host immune and inflammatory mediators. The coming era of periodontal medicine based upon molecular criteria will affect the future of periodontal diagnosis, treatment and professional practice.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗