Research Article: Are COPD and Periodontal Diseases Associated with Each Other?

Objective: Inhaled corticosteroids can cause periodontal diseases, while periodontal diseases can lead to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. We aimed to investigate the correlation between oral and dental health and COPD exacerbation, and the frequency of periodontal diseases in COPD patients. Material and methods: A prospective and cross-sectional study was performed involving 28 patients with COPD who had used inhaled corticosteroids for at least one year and 31 non-COPD patients. Dental complaints and dental care habits of the patients were questioned. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing pocket depth (PPD) measurements were performed for all available teeth. Results: Total tooth loss was high in COPD patients (57.1%, p:0.001). There was no significant difference in exacerbation frequency between the edentulous and dentate subgroups in COPD patients (p: 0.702). There was no difference between the dentate COPD and control groups regarding periodontal disease development, gingival index, dental plaque index, last tooth cleaning, tooth brushing, caries, and probing pocket depth. While the use of inhaler technique (correct/wrong), frequency of exacerbations, frequency of tooth brushing, and presence of diabetes mellitus or reflux were not associated with periodontal disease in dentate COPD patients, no correlation was determined between probing pocket depth, presence of periodontal disease, gingival index, dental plaque index, frequency of tooth brushing and frequency of exacerbations. In the dentate COPD group, the frequency of exacerbations was lower in those with caries (p:0.037). Conclusion: The correlation between COPD and periodontal disease and the increasing tooth loss in COPD need to be investigated with more extensive studies.