Correlation of Oral Health Status with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Tertiary Care Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i1.17724Keywords:
COPD, Oral Health, Oral Hygiene, Chronic Periodontitis, CandidiasisAbstract
Background: Oral health is considered to be an important factor in respiratory diseases like Pneumonia
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Poor oral health and abusive habits like smoking
have been implicated as an independent risk factor for the development of COPD, but few studies have
evaluated the association between oral health and COPD.
Aim: To assess the oral health and habits of COPD individuals visiting our OPD for their regular
checkups.
Subjects and Methods: We performed a case-control study of oral health among patients with COPD
exacerbators and healthy non COPD controls. Cases had experienced ≥1 exacerbation in the previous 12
months, while controls were healthy patients reporting to the dental OPD for a regular dental checkup.
We evaluated oral health status, recorded dental symptoms/habits, and Pulmonary Function Test (PFT).
In a subset, we performed blinded dental exams to measure bleeding on probing, probing depth, clinical
attachment loss, periodontitis severity, plaque index, gingival index, and carries risk. We evaluated
associations between oral health and COPD using logistic regression.
Result: Self-reported oral health status and objective dental findings had variations between cases and
controls. Participants with COPD had multiple missing teeth, a higher amount of plaque, and calculus
indicating poor dental health. Oral candidiasis, keratotic white lesions, and oral melanosis were also
present.
Conclusion: In the present observational study, we found that participants with COPD have poor oral
health that compromised their quality of life probably precipitating an acute exacerbation. The incidence
of COPD can be reduced by good oral hygiene measures and preventive oral care.
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