Assessment of Periodontal Status in the Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Background: Oral infections, especially periodontal diseases, may affect the course and pathogenesis of a number of systemic diseases including respiratory diseases. The current study aimed to determine the periodontal status in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 65 COPD patients (case) and 65 healthy individuals (non-COPD). Individuals in the case group were well-functioning, ambulatory patients having COPD as determined by their history, clinical examination, and spirometry. Periodontal status was evaluated by the indices, namely, simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket probing depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) in both the groups. Results: In the studied population, the mean (± standard deviation, SD) age was higher in COPD group (50.3 ± 11.4) compared to the control group (41.9±8.1; P < 0.0001). In the COPD group, average smoking index was 369.3 ± 167.2, while in control group, it was 323.88 ± 132.8 (P = 0.889). Our data show that individuals in the COPD group had significantly higher OHI-S, PI, GI, PPD, and CAL (P < 0.0001) compared with the control group. The mean score of OHI-S, PI, GI, PPD, and CAL was higher in moderate and severe COPD patients compared to mild COPD patients; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The patients with COPD showed poor oral hygiene and a higher prevalence of periodontal disease. Prevention and treatment of periodontal disease could be included in the planned intervention campaigns designed to help patients with COPD.