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COVID-19 Severity in Patients With Apical Periodontitis: A Case Control Study
Nadya Marouf1, Raidan Ba-Hattab2, Fatima Al-Sheeb1
1Division of Endodontics, Department of Dentistry, Oral Health Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Dental Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Hamad Dental Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
International Dental Journal
|January 21, 2024
Summary
The presence of apical periodontitis (AP) was linked to a higher risk of severe COVID-19 complications. Patients with AP showed increased white blood cell and HbA1c levels, suggesting a potential inflammatory connection.
Area of Science:
- Oral health and infectious disease research.
- Systemic implications of dental infections.
Background:
- Apical periodontitis (AP) shares inflammatory biomarkers with severe COVID-19.
- Existing research suggests a link between systemic inflammation and COVID-19 severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between apical periodontitis and the risk of developing severe COVID-19 complications.
- To test the hypothesis that AP increases COVID-19 complication risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study of 949 COVID-19 patients in Qatar (March 2020-February 2021).
- Cases (n=63) had COVID-19 complications; controls (n=886) recovered without complications.
- Radiographic assessment of AP prior to infection; logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders.
Main Results:
- Apical periodontitis was significantly associated with increased COVID-19 complications (aOR=2.72, P=.008).
- COVID-19 patients with AP exhibited elevated white blood cell counts and HbA1c levels compared to those without AP.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that apical periodontitis may be an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking AP to COVID-19 severity.
