Association between periodontal and respiratory diseases: case-control study in Brazil

 Objectives: The purpose of this research was to investigate the relation between periodontal disease and respiratory disease in intern patients at the Hospital Regional da Asa Norte (HRAN), Brasília - DF, Brazil.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted of 140 patients aged between 18 and 65 years, with 70 cases (medical diagnostic of community acquired pneumonia or chronic pulmonary obstructive disease) and 70 controls (patients which frequented the hospital for other reasons). All patients were submitted to a questionnaire of oral health and to a periodontal exam, which evaluated index plaque, bleeding index, periodontal probing depth and attachment level. In accord to found values, periodontal diseases were classified as gingivitis and periodontitis: slight, moderated and severe; localized or generalized – classification of extent and severity, respectively. A multivariated logistic regression model was constructed to estimate the adjusted Odds ratio to pulmonary disease, after considering variables of control.

 Results: In a bivariate analysis, male and older than 50 showed an increased risk for pulmonary diseases. The groups have significantly differentiated in relation to periodontal probing depth, loss of attachment (p < 0,05) and bleeding index (p=0,0172), but not in relation to plaque index (p > 0,05). The final multiple logistic model included gender, age, tobacco habit and colour. After adjusted analysis, periodontal diseases showed significant association to pulmonary diseases, in relation to severity (p < 0,0001): patients with moderated/severe periodontitis exhibited 4,1 more chance (CI 95%: 1,9 – 11,4) to have pulmonary diseases. 

Conclusion: This study points toward an association between periodontal disease and pulmonary disease.