Prevalence of carotid artery calcification detected by digital panoramic radiographs in a sample of yemeni dental patients.

espanolAntecedentes: La calcificacion de la arteria carotida (CAC) es uno de los factores de riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV). La CAC puede ser detectada por radiografias panoramicas digitales. Objetivo del estudio: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia de CAC detectada por radiografias panoramicas digitales en una muestra de pacientes dentales yemenies. Materiales y metodos: Se utilizo un estudio transversal observacional y analitico para investigar una muestra de conveniencia de 443 pacientes. Estos pacientes fueron entrevistados en persona para obtener su informacion sociodemografica y sus antecedentes medicos con respecto a las ECV y los factores de riesgo asociados. Los investigadores evaluaron las radiografias panoramicas digitales para detectar CAC.Resultados: Los pacientes de ingresos altos y de mediana edad fueron factores de riesgo de ECV significativamente asociados con una mayor incidencia de CAC (42 pacientes (9,5%) y 32 pacientes (7,2%), respectivamente). Los pacientes con una consulta medica previa, medicamentos previos y antecedentes familiares de ECV revelaron una prevalencia significativamente mayor de CAC (p=0.001). Conclusion: Hubo una mayor prevalencia de CAC detectada en radiografias panoramicas digitales como factor de riesgo de ECV, y CAC fue mas comun en mujeres que en hombres. EnglishBackground: Carotid artery calcification (CAC) is one of risk factors of cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). Digital panoramic radiographs can detect it. Aim of the study: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CAC detected by digital panoramic radiographs in a sample of Yemeni dental patients. Materials and Methods: An observational and analytical cross-sectional study was used to investigate a convenience sample of 443 patients. These patients were interviewed face-to-face for their socio-demographic information and their medical background regarding CVDs and associated risk factors. The researchers for detection of CAC assessed the digital panoramic radiographs. Results: High income and middle-aged patients were risk factors of CVDs significantly associated with increased incidence of CAC (42 patients (9.5%) and 32 patients (7.2%), respectively). Patients with a previous medical consultation, previous medications and family history of CVDs revealed a significant higher prevalence of CAC (p=0.001). Conclusion: There was an increased prevalence of CAC detected on digital panoramic radiographs, as a risk factor of CVDs. CAC was more common in females than males.