Oral hygiene, periodontal health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.

AIM

To assess the associations of oral hygiene and periodontal health with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In total, 392 COPD patients were divided into frequent and infrequent exacerbation (≥2 times and <2 times in last 12 months) groups. Their lung function and periodontal status were examined. Information on oral hygiene behaviours was obtained by interview.

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis, fewer remaining teeth, high plaque index (PLI) scores, low tooth brushing times, and low regular supra-gingival scaling were significantly associated with COPD exacerbations (all p-values <0.05). After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, COPD severity and dyspnoea severity, the associations with fewer remaining teeth (p = 0.02), high PLI scores (p = 0.02) and low tooth brushing times (p = 0.008) remained statistically significant. When stratified by smoking, fewer remaining teeth (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.04-4.02) and low tooth brushing times (OR = 4.90, 95% CI: 1.26-19.1) among past smokers and high PLI scores (OR = 3.43, 95% CI: 1.19-9.94) among never smokers were significantly associated with COPD exacerbations.

CONCLUSIONS

Fewer remaining teeth, high PLI scores, and low tooth brushing times are significant correlates of COPD exacerbations, indicating that improving periodontal health and oral hygiene may be a potentially preventive strategy against COPD exacerbations.