Association between periodontitis and severe asthma in adults: A case-control study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between periodontitis and severe asthma, with participants in treatment for severe asthma, controlled by therapy. MethodsA case-control investigation was performed to compare 130 adults with severe asthma with 130 without asthma. Individuals with periodontitis were those with 4 teeth with 1 site with probing depth 4mm, clinical attachment level 3mm, and bleeding upon probing at the same site. Severe asthma diagnosis was based on Global Initiative for Asthma criteria. ResultsAssociation between exposure to periodontitis and severe asthma was found: ORcrude=2.98 (95% CI: 1.74-5.11). When confounders were considered, the association between exposure to periodontitis and severe asthma was maintained: ORadjusted=3.01-3.25. Individuals with periodontitis had about a threefold increased risk of severe asthma than those without periodontitis. Frequency of periodontitis in participants with severe asthma was greater than that of those without asthma (46.6% vs 22.3%, p.05). ConclusionsAssociation between periodontitis and severe asthma was observed. Further investigation is required to determine the direction of this relationship. It may be causal, but it may also be a consequence of the immunopathological process that characterizes asthma, or else, consequence of the medication used for treatment.