Relationship among clinical periodontal, microbiologic parameters and lung function in participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among clinical periodontal, microbiologic parameters and lung function in participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS: A total of 160 participants were recruited, including 80 participants with COPD (COPD group) and 80 participants without COPD (control group). All participants completed questionnaires and underwent clinical periodontal and lung function examinations. Subgingival plaques were obtained to determine the prevalence of selected oral and respiratory bacterial species.

RESULTS: 1) Significant relationships were noted in the participants among oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), clinical attachment level (CAL) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%). 2) Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Klebsiella pneumonia (Kp), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) and Streptococcus pneumonia (Sp) prevalence was increased in participants with COPD compared with control participants. 3) A significant negative association was noted between the relative content of Pg and FEV1% in participants with COPD.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm that periodontal destruction and oral pathogens are associated with lung function.