Association Between Periodontitis and SARS-CoV-2 Infection Severity: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Turkish Population

Area of Science:

• Oral Health and Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gums and supporting bone.
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can lead to varying degrees of illness severity.
• Understanding potential risk factors for severe COVID-19 is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between periodontitis and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To identify demographic and clinical factors influencing COVID-19 severity in a Turkish population.

Main Methods:

• Adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled.
• Data collected included demographics, smoking status, COVID-19 symptoms, oxygen saturation, and inflammatory markers.
• Periodontal status was assessed using self-reported questionnaires (OHIP-14, modified CDC/AAP) to calculate the Periodontal Screening Score (PESS).
• Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• The study included 134 COVID-19 patients; 69.2% were asymptomatic.
• Oxygen saturation was significantly higher in asymptomatic patients compared to those with mild or moderate/severe symptoms (P < 0.001).
• No statistically significant association was found between periodontitis (PESS ≥ 5) and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity (P = 0.130).
• Male gender (OR=2.90), age ≥ 55 (OR=5.94), and smoking (OR=0.14) were significant predictors of COVID-19 severity.

Conclusions:

• The association between periodontitis and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity, assessed via self-reported measures, was weak.
• Male gender, advanced age, and smoking are independent risk factors for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex relationship between oral health and COVID-19 severity.