Assessment of correlation of COVID-19 infection and periodontitis- A comparative study

Periodontal disease constitutes a group of diseases involving inflammatory aspects of the host caused by several microbial agents that affect periodontal tissues and could have systemic implications.

The present study was conducted to assess the correlation of COVID-19 infection and severity of periodontitis in subjects who has mild form of the disease as compared to subjects having moderate form of the disease.

The study included 116 subjects suffering from COVID-19 that were equally divided into two groups, each based on a convenient sampling methodology. Group I had a moderate form of COVID that required hospitalization and Group II had a mild form of COVID and were treated at home. The stage of periodontal disease was assessed in both groups. Also, laboratory parameters such as level of C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC), D-dimer, vitamin D, and lymphocytes were also assessed. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and multiple logistic regression analysis.

More than 75% of subjects in both groups were non-smokers. Subjects having more than one comorbid condition were more in number in Group I (51.7%) as compared to Group II (24%). Severe periodontitis (stages 2-4) was found in 81% of subjects in Group I and 46.2% of subjects in Group II [Figure 1]. The odds of getting severe periodontal disease were 6.32 times more in subjects belonging to Group I as compared to Group II. Subjects having more than one comorbid condition were 4.43 times at risk of severe periodontitis as compared to subjects with no co-morbidity.

Severe form of periodontal disease was associated with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection and levels of lymphocytes, WBCs, and CRP were elevated in subjects belonging to Group I.