Heart, Vessels and Transplantation · Published 2026-07-16 · DOI 10.24969/hvt.2026.667
Bolot D. Burabaev, Аlbina Z. Zakirova, Marat D. Smanaliev, Mustakim A. Akmatov, Aijan A. Sarieva, Ilshat M. Yuldashev, Guli M. Saatova, Damirbek A. Osmonov
Objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) often originate in childhood, and emerging evidence links oral health to systemic conditions. However, the association between dental caries and CVDs in pediatric populations, particularly at different altitudes, remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess the association between dental caries and CVDs among school-aged children, considering hereditary predisposition and altitude of residence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2017 to 2020, including 941 children aged 7-18 years and their 1,882 biological parents. Participants resided in high-altitude (>2500 m) and mid-altitude (1000-2000 m) regions of the Kyrgyz Republic. Dental examinations followed WHO criteria. Confirmed CVDs (rheumatic heart disease, congenital defects, hypertension, etc.) were verified from medical records. Parental questionnaires and genealogical assessment evaluated hereditary cardiovascular burden. Results: Dental caries was present in 50.7% (477/941) of children, and confirmed CVDs in 22.1% (208/941). Among children with CVDs, 64.4% had dental caries vs. 46.8% without CVDs (p<0.0001). Caries was independently associated with CVDs after adjustment (OR=2.06; 95% CI: 1.44-2.94; p<0.001). Parental hypertension showed the strongest association with childhood CVDs (OR=2.33; p<0.001). Both dental caries (64.8% vs. 37.2%) and CVDs (28.7% vs. 15.8%) were significantly more prevalent in high-altitude residents. A combined model including caries, parental hypertension, and headaches yielded acceptable discriminatory performance (AUC=0.71; sensitivity 74.5%, specificity 65.8%). Conclusions: Dental caries was significantly associated with CVD in school-aged children after adjustment for available confounding variables. High-altitude residence and parental hypertension are important associated factors. These findings support an epidemiological link between oral and cardiovascular health in childhood, warranting further prospective research and interdisciplinary preventive strategies.
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Burabaev, B., Zakirova, А., Smanaliev, M., et al. (2026). Cardiovascular diseases and their association with dental caries among school-aged children living at different altitudes in the Kyrgyz Republic: A cross-sectional study. Heart, Vessels and Transplantation. https://doi.org/10.24969/hvt.2026.667