OBJECTIVE To assess if carotid calcifications detected in panoramic radiographs are associated with future events of stroke, and/or ischemic heart diseases over 10-13 years in individuals between 60 and 96 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS Baseline (2001-2004) panoramic radiographs were assessed for evidence of carotid calcifications from individuals with no previous history of stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases. A radiopaque nodular mass adjacent to the cervical vertebrae, at or below the intervertebral space C3-C4, was interpreted as carotid calcification. Annual medical records were searched for ICD 10 codes through 2014. RESULTS Signs of carotid calcification was demonstrated in 238/635 (37.5%) of the study individuals. Signs of carotid calcification was associated with future stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases (χ2 = 9.1, OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2, 2.2, p < 0.002). In individuals 60-72 years, a significant association between radiographic signs of carotid calcification and stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases (χ2 = 12.4, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5, 4.0, p < 0.000) (adjusted for high blood pressure, diabetes type 2, BMI; OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.5, p = 0.03). Individuals (60-72 years) with radiographic evidence of carotid calcifications had a mean cumulative stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases survival time of 12.1 years compared to those without such evidence (13.0 years) (log rank Mantel-Cox χ2 = 10.7, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Evidence of carotid calcifications in panoramic radiographs is associated with an event of stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases in 60-96-year-old individuals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Radiographic evidence of carotid calcifications is associated with stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases. Patients with signs of carotid calcifications should therefore be referred for medical examination.

中文翻译：

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全景X线照片中的颈动脉钙化与将来的中风或缺血性心脏病有关：一项长期的随访研究。

目的评估在60到96岁之间的个体中，在10到13年内，全景X射线照片中检测到的颈动脉钙化是否与中风和/或缺血性心脏病的未来事件相关。材料与方法对基线（2001-2004）的全景X线照片进行评估，以寻找没有中风和/或缺血性心脏病史的个体的颈动脉钙化证据。在椎间隙C3-C4或以下，邻近颈椎的不透射线的结节性肿块被认为是颈动脉钙化。到2014年，都在年度医疗记录中搜索了ICD 10代码。结果在238/635（37.5％）的研究个体中显示出颈动脉钙化的迹象。颈动脉钙化的迹象与将来的中风和/或缺血性心脏病有关（χ2= 9.1，OR 1.6，95％CI 1.2，2.2，p ＜0.002）。在60-72岁的个体中，颈动脉钙化的影像学征象与中风和/或缺血性心脏病之间存在显着相关性（χ2= 12.4，或2.4，95％CI 1.5、4.0，p <0.000）（针对高血压， 2型糖尿病，BMI； OR 1.9，95％CI 1.1，3.5，p = 0.03）。具有颈动脉钙化影像学证据的个体（60-72岁）与没有证据的个体（13.0年）相比，平均中风和/或缺血性心脏病的平均生存时间为12.1年（对数秩Mantel-Coxχ2= 10.7，p = 0.001）。结论全景X线照片中颈动脉钙化的证据与60-96岁个体的中风和/或缺血性心脏病事件有关。临床相关性颈动脉钙化的影像学证据与中风和/或缺血性心脏病有关。因此，有颈动脉钙化迹象的患者应转诊接受医学检查。