Evaluation of the relationship between the acute attacks in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and oral health by Rustogi index

Abstract

Aim: To examine the relationship between the acute attacks of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their general oral hygiene and the general condition of their prostheses.

Methods: As a prospective questionnaire and clinical examination study, patients with COPD attacks using total prostheses and healthy individuals were compared using the Rustogi index. After obtaining consent from all patients, age, Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (Mmrc) scores, an inhaler used, COPD stage, and the status of total prostheses were recorded. Also the habits of the use of the prostheses were evaluated for each group.

Results: 32 COPD patients and 34 healthy participants, 29 female and 37 male, with a mean age of 69.19±3.16 were evaluated. When the correlation between COPD attack and denture cleaning frequency, which was the main hypothesis of the study, was evaluated, a significant correlation was observed. (r:0.549, p<0.001) There was a significant difference between the patient and healthy individuals whether they removed the dentures at night and the frequency of denture cleaning. (p< 0.01 )

Conclusions: In COPD, whether both mechanical and pharmacological cleaning of the prostheses is done regularly should be evaluated at each control. Regular dental check-ups can control the course of the disease, as well as contribute to reducing morbidity, mortality, and also health outgoings. Further studies in which serum inflammatory markers and microbiological examinations will be evaluated can be recommended.