Multiple risk factors are associated with ischemic stroke. Here, we highlight studies indicating that periodontal disease significantly increases the risk of both primary ischemic stroke and subsequent cardiovascular events. Additionally, studies have shown an association between periodontal disease and multiple causes of ischemic stroke. Finally, we describe an ongoing clinical trial testing the benefit of periodontal disease treatment as a strategy to reduce risk for recurrent cardiovascular events in patients who have had recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. This article is mostly based on a presentation given in honor of Steven Offenbacher (1950 to 2018).

Introduction: Periodontal disease (PD) is associated with incident and recurrent ischemic stroke. We investigated whether PD is associated with specific stroke subtype. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, PD was assessed in ischemic stroke and TIA patients. Moderate-severe PD was determined by full-mouth examination by a dentist. Clinical information including stroke etiological subtype (TOAST) was collected at admission. Based on vascular imaging, strokes caused by large-artery atherothrombosis were further analyzed to distinguish those caused by either intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) or extracranial atherosclerosis (ECAS). They were also classified as anterior or posterior circulation disease. Results: Consecutive patients (N=265) were enrolled (age 64 ± 12.8, 49% white, 46% black, 5% other and 56% male) between 2015-17. A third (N=87) were found to have PD. Twenty percent (N=42) of strokes were caused by large-artery atherothrombosis. In this group, there was a significantly higher proportion of patients with PD compared with those without PD (24% vs.12%, X 2 p=0.01). Patients with PD also had a significantly higher proportion (12% vs 5%) of stroke due to posterior circulation disease (crude OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-7.9, p=0.03), not anterior circulation disease (14% vs. 7%; crude OR 2.2, 95% CI 0.9-5.2, p=0.08). This association with posterior circulation disease persisted after adjustment for age, race, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking status, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hemoglobin A1C (adjusted OR 3.1 95% CI 1.04-9.1, p=0.004). In addition, those with PD had a significantly higher rate of stroke due to ICAS compared to those without PD (20% vs. 8%; crude OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.6, p=0.01), while there was no significant difference between the groups for strokes due to ECAS (9% vs. 3%; crude OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0-8.7, p=0.06). PD remained significantly associated with ICAS after adjustment for the same covariates (adjusted OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-5.8, p=0.004). Conclusion: We report a significantly higher proportion of stroke due to large-artery atherothrombosis in patients with PD compared to those without PD. We report an independent association between PD and ICAS, as well as posterior circulation disease.

Background and purpose This study was undertaken to develop a patient‐centered stroke outcome measure and initial validation of the proposed Young Stroke Questionnaire (YSQ). Methods This study assessed the reliability and discriminant validity of the YSQ. The initial questionnaire evolved from a focus group comprised of six young stroke survivors and six stroke neurologists centralized around four patient‐centered domains. To determine the reliability and discriminant validity of the YSQ, 100 young stroke survivors were recruited and provided consent. Standardized clinical assessments completed included the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and Stroke Impact Scale. Additionally, all patients were asked to complete the patient‐centered YSQ. Results Of the 100 enrolled patients in the study (mean age ± standard deviation = 49 ± 11.3, 58% females, 53% African American, 44% White), Cronbach alpha for all domains was >0.7. Moreover, Cronbach alpha for entire questionnaire was >0.9, indicating that the scale, with four subdomains, is internally consistent and reproducible. Discriminant validity of the scale was assessed by comparing the means of each subdomain of the YSQ among healthy subjects to the groups of stroke patients as defined by the mRS. The YSQ was able to differentiate subjects with good outcome (mRS = 0–1) from subjects with varying degree of disability as defined by the mRS (p = 0.026). Conclusions Standardized clinical assessments are not sensitive to disabilities in young stroke survivors. When compared to standardized clinical assessments, the YSQ is significantly capable of differentiating the young survivor perspective of the impact of stroke in all four subdomains.

Introduction: Periodontal disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory process that affects gum and teeth. Due to the role of inflammation on atherosclerosis, we assessed the hypothesis that PD is associated with asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) in the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study. Methods: Full-mouth clinical periodontal measurements (7-indices) collected at 6 sites per tooth from 6155 subjects from the Dental Atherosclerosis in Communities Study (DARIC) without prior stroke were used to differentiate seven periodontal profile classes (PPCs). Of this cohort, a stratified subset underwent 3D time-of-flight MR angiogram and 3D high-isotropic resolution black blood MRI. ICAS was graded according to the criteria established by the Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease (WASID) trial. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between PD status and severe asymptomatic ICAS, defined as ≥50% stenosis. Results: Among dentate subjects who underwent vascular imaging, 1033 (90%) had 0-50% ICAS and 112 (10%) had ≥50% ICAS. Compared to participants without gum disease (PPC-A), participants with gingivitis (PPC-C) had significantly higher odds of having ≥50% ICAS (Figure 1; Crude OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.8, p=0.015). This association strengthened after adjusting for the significant confounding variables: age, hypertension, and LDL cholesterol (Adjusted OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.5, p=0.006). Conclusion: We report a significant association between inflammatory PD class and ≥50% asymptomatic ICAS. Because gingivitis is reversible, future studies are needed to determine if treatment of gingivitis can prevent the development and progression of ICAS, thus reducing the risk of stroke.