The relationship between periodontal disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with smoking

Abstract EN

Background : The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between periodontal disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) in the presence of smoking as a risk factor by evaluating the periodontal parameters and similarities between infecting microorganisms of the periodontium (dental plaque) and lower respiratory tracts.

Materials and Methods : A total of 90 patients with COPD were selected from the Chest and Respiratory Diseases Institute / Ministry of Health, while healthy subjects selected from Department of Periodontics at the College of Dentistry / University of Baghdad, all participant of study and control groups were examined in the Department of Periodontics .

Results : The statistical analysis showed significant differences in plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth when comparing between study groups with the control group.

No significant difference was found in the clinical attachment loss between the two groups although the study group showed higher value.

The microbiological identification showed similarities in the types of aerobic microorganisms which causes the periodontal disease and COPD exacerbations.

Conclusion : The study concluded that the study group had higher mean values of plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss than the control group, both study and control group showed the same types of microorganisms in plaque sample and in throat swab and patients with COPD showed lower rate of salivary flow than those of control group.