Periodontitis as a potential risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A retrospective study.

Aims and Objectives : A relationship between poor periodontal health and respiratory disease has been suggested by a number of recent studies. The present study was undertaken to evaluate potential association between respiratory diseases and periodontal health status and to co-relate the severity of periodontal disease with that of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and Methods : 150 patients of COPD (test group) and 50 Patients without COPD (control group) were recruited for the study. Information regarding patient's demographic and socioeconomic status and lifestyle (history of smoking) were considered in the study. Patients with COPD were grouped into mild, moderate and severe category on the basis of Spirometry. Periodontal health was assessed by measuring probing pocket depth, Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL) and Oral Hygiene Index (OHI). Results : The results showed that the subjects with COPD had significantly more mean CAL) and a higher mean OHI than those without COPD. The risk for COPD appeared to be significantly elevated when attachment loss was found to be severe. A trend was noted in that lung function appeared to diminish as the amount of attachment loss increased. Conclusion : On the basis of the observed results of the study it can be concluded that the risk for COPD appeared to be significantly elevated when attachment loss was found to be severe. It is conceivable that oral interventions that improve oral health status may prove to lower the severity of lung infection in susceptible populations.

Efecto de tres esquemas terapéuticos sobre el flujo máximo espiratorio y la estancia hospitalaria en la crisis asmática / Effect of three therapeutic modalities upon peak expiratory flow and hospital staying in asthmatic crisis

El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar el impacto de tres esquemas terapéuticos sobre el flujo máximo espiratorio (FME) y la estancia hospitalaria en pacientes adultos con crisis asmática. Se trata de un diseño causiexperimental, prospectivo, aleatorio, ciego simple y comparativo. Se estudiaron 38 pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de crisis asmática que se distribuyeron en tres grupos: 14 (36.84 por ciento) fueron tratados con aminofilina, 11 (28.94 por ciento con hidrocortisona y 13 (34.22 por ciento) con metilprednisolona. En cada grupo se asoció salbutamol nebulizado y se igualaron dosis de esteroides por la distinta potencia antiinflamatoria. Se medió el flujo máximo espiratorio (FME), grado de broncoespasmo, frecuencia cardiaca y respiratoria, repitiéndose dichas mediciones cada seis horas antes de la administración de los fármacos correspondientes. Se anotó la hora en que desaparecieron las sibilancias en cada grupo y se compararon entre sí. Los datos obtenidos sugieren que los tres esquemas terapéuticos empleados son adecuados y no impactan significativamente uno sobre el otro respecto al FME y la estancia hospitalaria