Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Robust Ligature-Induced Model of Murine Periodontitis for the Evaluation of Oral Neutrophils
Published on: January 21, 2020
Can periodontitis affect the COVID-19 severity, symptoms, hospital stay, and mortality? A case-control study
Shravya Macherla1, Aditi Chopra1, Venkitachalam Ramanarayanan2
1Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Insights
Periodontitis, a gum disease, significantly increases the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by 3.7 times. Managing periodontal disease is crucial for better COVID-19 patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease are linked to increased risk and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Understanding the specific associations between periodontitis and COVID-19 outcomes is critical for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between periodontitis and COVID-19 severity.
- To determine the impact of periodontitis on COVID-19 symptoms, mortality, and hospital stay.
Main Methods:
- 163 COVID-19 patients were categorized into mild/asymptomatic (control) and moderate-to-severe (case) groups.
- Assessed periodontal disease severity, oral hygiene, and clinical parameters.
- Analyzed associations with COVID-19 outcomes, controlling for age, sex, comorbidities, and smoking.
Main Results:
- Periodontitis increased COVID-19 severity by 3.7 times (p=0.002).
- Significant differences in symptoms like dizziness, runny nose, and headache were observed in patients with periodontitis.
- Periodontitis was associated with a slightly increased risk of death (1.03) and longer hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- A positive association exists between periodontal disease and COVID-19 severity and symptoms.
- Periodontal disease management should be integrated into the care of patients with coronavirus infection.
Background/Purpose:
Poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease have been identified as potential risk factors for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study aimed to determine the association between periodontitis and COVID-19 severity, nature of symptoms, mortality, and hospital stay.
Methods:
In total, 163 COVID-19-positive patients (men: 93; women: 70) were categorized into two groups: the control group, consisting of 120 patients with asymptomatic or mild symptoms, and the case group, consisting of 43 patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms. The severity of periodontal disease, oral hygiene status (OHI), pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), number of decayed/missing/filled teeth, mortality, duration of stay in the hospital, oxygen requirement, and nature of COVID-19 symptoms were assessed in both groups. The association between periodontitis and COVID-19 was analyzed with other confounding factors such as age, sex, comorbidities, oral hygiene, and smoking status.
Results:
The presence of periodontitis increases the severity of COVID-19 by 3.7 times (p = 0.002). A statistically significant difference was noted for symptoms such as dizziness (p = 0.036), running nose/cold (p = 0.009), and headache (p = 0.005) in the presence of periodontitis. The risk estimate for death associated with periodontitis was 1.03. Additionally, the average duration of stay was longer for individuals with periodontitis than for those in the control group.
Conclusion:
There is a positive association between periodontal disease and COVID-19. Periodontitis increases the severity of COVID-19 and alters the symptoms. Hence, periodontal disease management should be an integral part of managing patients with coronavirus infection.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:15Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include: