Prevalence of Calcified Carotid Artery Atheromas on Digital Panoramic Images Among Peri-and-Post-menopausal African-American Women

Publication date: Available online 6 February 2017
Source:Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
Author(s): Arthur H. Friedlander, Nona Aghazadehsanai, Tina I. Chang, Neal Garrett
ObjectiveHealthcare disparities, often of an obscure nature, result in African-American women (AAw) having enhanced risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore we sought to determine the prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas (CCAA), a validated risk indicator of these events, on their digital panoramic images (dpi).Study DesignComprehensive electronic medical records and dpi's of self-identified AAw aged ≥ 45 treated between 2007 and 2014 were retrieved from a Veterans Affairs Dental Service. Images were reviewed for CCAA in the cervical bifurcation region and the medical records for atherogenic risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia.ResultsThe study sample of 171 AAw (mean age 58.2 ± 8.0 years) evidenced a 24% CCAA positive prevalence rate and in comparison to the CCAA negative group, those with atheromas were significantly older (61.4 ± 10.1 vs. 57.2 ± 7.0), diabetic, and dyslipidemic. Also observed among the full study sample was significant concordant increase on CCAA prevalence with age. Among those who were CCAA positive there was a significant increased prevalence of dyslipidemia with age.ConclusionPanoramic images of older African-American women frequently demonstrate carotid atheromas, a risk indicator of generalized atherosclerosis and future adverse cardiovascular events.



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