The effect of 6 months or longer duration of chronic obstructive respiratory disease medication on the oral health parameters of adults

The objectives of this study were to study the effect of COPD medication of 6 months or more duration on oral health parameters of adult patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess and compare the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), periodontal disease index (PDI) scores, and presence of candida (colony-forming units [CFU]) among adult patients aged 20-45 years who had a history of 6 months or longer duration usage of chronic respiratory disease medications, with controls. A total of 170 participants each were taken in both the groups. Oral health parameters like DMFT scores (p <= 0.002), OHI-S (p <= 0.001), calculus scores (p <= 0.001), plaque scores (p <= 0.001), and CFU/ml of candida species (p <= 0.001) were higher among cases than controls. DMFT scores and candida presence were significantly higher among those whose treatment duration was greater than 5 years as compared to those with lesser duration. Gingival-periodontal component scores of PDI were lower among cases than controls (p <= 0.001). Our findings suggest the need for regular oral health maintenance for those under COPD treatment and for greater research into the possible protective role of inhaled corticosteroids in limiting periodontal disease among patients.