THE NUMBER OF LOST TEETH – A POTENTIAL PREDICTIVE MARKER FOR THE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN A SAMPLE OF HOSPITALIZED ADULTS

Aim of the study: to evaluate the degree of statistical association between the oral parameter represented by the total number of permanent lost teeth (NLT) on both arches, and a certain type of cardiovascular disease. Materials and methods: 84 hospitalized participants in the Cardiology Department from DrobetaTurnu-Severin County Emergency Clinical Hospital were evaluated in the Emergency Dentistry Department of the same hospital. The demographic and clinical data were collected and statistically analyzed using Chi-square and Kendall’s tau-b, followed by two binomial regression models. Results: A strong, positive association between the NLT and the presence of heart valve diseases, respectively cardiomyopathy was highlighted by Chi-square tests (χ2(2) = 8.774, p = 0.023, respectively χ2(2) = 19.137, p < 0.0005) Also, NLT between 9 and 14 may be considered a statistically significant predictor of developing cardiomyopathy (unadjusted OR = 6.548, 95%CI = 1.764 – 24.304, p < 0.0005), and NLT between 15-27 for developing heart valve diseases (unadjusted OR = 7.886, 95% CI = 1.698 – 36.616, p = 0.008). Conclusions: For the group of participants included in the study, NLT had a statistically significant predictive value especially for heart valve diseases and cardiomyopathy.