Association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic periodontal disease: An observational study

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic periodontitis share common risk factors and evidence exists showing an association between the two conditions. Aims: This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the gingival and periodontal status of patients having COPD and their comparison with nondiseased individuals. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study recruited 60 patients (30–60 years) with COPD (Group A) and 60 healthy controls (Group B). Patients having cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and other comorbid illnesses except COPD were excluded from the study. A complete general physical and medical examination of all the patients was completed, case history was recorded, and investigations such as total blood count, chest X-ray, and pulmonary function tests were undertaken. Each patient's gingival and periodontal status as evaluated by an experienced periodontist and oral hygiene simplified index, gingival index (GI) (Loe and silliness), and periodontal index (PI) (Russell's) were recorded. Results and Discussion: Group A patients were significantly older than Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in both groups concerning gender. Group A had 45%, whereas, in Group B, 36.7% of the patients had lower socioeconomic status. In Group A, a higher body mass index >30 kg/m2 was observed in 38.6% of the patients as compared to 26.9% in Group B (P > 0.05). In Group A, higher values of oral hygiene simplified index (2.97 ± 0.02), mean GI (1.96 ± 0.01), and mean PI (4.85 ± 0.01) were observed as compared to Group B (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study supports an association between COPD and chronic periodontitis. Early detection and treatment of chronic periodontitis may benefit patients with COPD