Periodontal status of patients with nontubercular respiratory diseases hospitalized in a tertiary care hospital

BACKGROUND: There is strong evidence that periodontal disease (PD) is related to various systemic diseases including respiratory diseases. Dental plaque is the primal cause of PD, and it can also be used as a reservoir of lung pathogens. After inhalation, it can cause a variety of respiratory infections. In addition, low nutritional status and immuneosuppression due to treatment or disease progression may affect the oral health of the hospitalized patients with nontubercular respiratory diseases. Here, we aimed to assess the periodontal status in hospitalized patients with nontubercular respiratory problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have enrolled 100 hospitalized nontubercular respiratory ill patients and 100 periodontal patients in this study. Periodontal clinical parameters, namely plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket probing depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were evaluated in both the groups. Modified Kuppuswamy's socioeconomic scale was utilized to assess the education, occupation, and monthly family income. RESULTS: Sociodemographic profile was comparable in both the studied groups. Hospitalized patients with nontubercular respiratory diseases had more severe PD (PPD and CAL) and poorer oral hygiene (higher PI), although the GI was lower compared to patients in the periodontal group. In addition, compared with patients in the high-income group, low-income patients are at greater risk of periodontal infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the prevalence of periodontal infections in hospitalized patients with non-tubercular respiratory diseases is higher, indicating that there is an association between PD and respiratory diseases.