Gender Differences in the Levels of Periodontal Destruction, Behavioral Risk Factors and Systemic Oxidative Stress in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Cohort Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Due to the higher frequency of ischemic stroke in men compared to women, we aimed to determine if gender differences exist regarding periodontal status and several plasma biomarkers in patients with a recent large artery atherosclerosis ischemic stroke (IS). Material and methods: Patients with their first IS within less than six weeks who were able to undergo periodontal examinations were evaluated. Demographic data, periodontal status, oxidative stress parameters/plasma antioxidant capacity, and C-reactive protein in patients who suffered a recent large artery atherosclerosis ischemic stroke were reccorded. Results: 93 patients were included in the study. More men were smokers (12/57 vs. 3/36) and consumed alcohol (17/57 vs. 3/36), and more women had higher glycemic values (p = 0.023), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (p = 0.010), and HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (p = 0.005) levels. Significantly more men than women had moderate plus severe periodontal disease (p = 0.018), significantly higher levels of nitric oxide (p = 0.034), and significantly lower levels of total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.028). Conclusions: In this pilot study, men seem to be more prone to oxidative stress and to develop more severe forms of periodontitis among patients with stroke, but the results need validation on a larger sample.