Patient's with COPD at higher risk of further complicated dental problems
The relationship between COPD and periodontitis
Periodontitis has been termed the emphysema of the mouth (Travis J et al. AJRCCM 1994; 150:S143-S146) as both are characterised by connective tissue loss related to chronic neutrophilic inflammation, in the respective tissues. Several studies have suggested a relationship between periodontal disease and COPD (Zeng XT et al. PLoS One 2012; 7(10):e46508). It is unclear whether this represents a common pathophysiological process.
METHODS: Patients from a COPD research cohort ('usual' COPD, n=88) and patients with AATD (n=38) underwent a detailed dental examination. The presence of periodontitis was compared with subjects from the 2009 ONS adult dental health survey using binary logistic regression analysis controlling for sex, age and smoking status. Correlation between gas transfer and periodontal clinical attachment loss (CAL) was performed in the usual COPD and AATD groups using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.
