Treatment of gum disease to reduce cardiovascular risk

There is a well-established link between gum disease (periodontitis) and heart disease — people with moderate to severe gum disease have a higher risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. Gum disease causes inflammation throughout the body, and inflammation is one of the key drivers of cardiovascular disease. Treating gum disease might therefore help reduce heart disease risk. This trial is combining two approaches to reducing cardiovascular risk: professional gum disease treatment (deep cleaning of the teeth and gums) and a low-dose anti-inflammatory medication called colchicine, which has been shown to reduce heart attack risk in people with existing heart disease. The study aims to find out whether this combined approach lowers markers of inflammation in the blood and reduces the overall risk of a cardiovascular event. You may be eligible if you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, are currently taking a statin medication, have elevated inflammation markers in your blood (hsCRP >2 mg/L), and have been diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontitis (gum disease). People who have had recent gum treatment, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have kidney or liver impairment would not be eligible.