Figure 2.

Mediated regression model for the chronic periodontitis–troponin I association. Arrows with dashed lines indicate nonsignificant relationships between the 2 connected variables. Arrows with solid lines show that leukocytes and neutrophils are significantly associated with an increase in troponin I levels and with chronic periodontitis. The model indicates that a higher severity of chronic periodontitis produces increased troponin I levels by augmenting the leukocyte and neutrophil counts. Troponin I levels are not affected by classical risk factors but are influenced by ST elevation. Regression coefficients are shown next to each arrow.