Alveolar bone loss and tooth loss are associated with COVID-19 severity but are not independent risk factors. An explorative study

Purpose: This study explores the association between alveolar bone loss, tooth loss and severity of COVID-19. Material(s) and Method(s): In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients with confirmed COVID-19 who have had a dental panoramic radiograph within a maximum period of 5 years, providing information about alveolar bone loss and tooth loss. The severity of COVID-19 was determined based on the WHO clinical progression scale: (1) Mild/Ambulatory;(2) Moderate/Hospitalized;(3) Severe/Intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Result(s): 1730 patients were identified with COVID-19 from until October 31, 2020 in the Isala Hospital. Of these patients, 389 ever visited the OMFS department. 133 patients have had an orthopantomograph within a maximum period of 5 years and were included for analysis. The results showed a significant association between alveolar bone loss and COVID-19 severity (p = 0.028). Patients with alveolar bone loss had 5.6 times higher odds to be admitted to ICU or died, compared to ambulatory patients (OR: 5.60;95%CI: 1.21;25.99;P = 0.028). More tooth loss was significantly associated with COVID-19 severity (p = 0.047). Per tooth lost, patients had 4.2% higher odds for severe than mild COVID-19 (OR: 1.04;95%CI: 1.00;1.09;P = 0.047) and 6.0% higher odds for severe than moderate COVID-19 (OR: 1.06;95%CI: 1.01;1.11;P = 0.017). When adjusting for confounders in multivariate analyses, the significant associations of COVID-19 with alveolar bone loss and tooth loss were no longer present. Conclusion(s): In this retrospective explorative pilot study, alveolar bone loss and tooth loss are associated with the severity of COVID-19, however they are not independent risk factors. The current study could contribute to the design of further studies on the relationship between oral health and COVID-19.Copyright © 2021 The Authors

Alveolar bone loss and tooth loss are associated with COVID-19 severity but are not independent risk factors. An explorative study

Purpose This study explores the association between alveolar bone loss, tooth loss and severity of COVID-19. Materials and methods In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients with confirmed COVID-19 who have had a dental panoramic radiograph within a maximum period of 5 years, providing information about alveolar bone loss and tooth loss. The severity of COVID-19 was determined based on the WHO clinical progression scale: (1) Mild/Ambulatory;(2) Moderate/Hospitalized;(3) Severe/Intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Results 1730 patients were identified with COVID-19 from until October 31, 2020 in the Isala Hospital. Of these patients, 389 ever visited the OMFS department. 133 patients have had an orthopantomograph within a maximum period of 5 years and were included for analysis. The results showed a significant association between alveolar bone loss and COVID-19 severity (p = 0.028). Patients with alveolar bone loss had 5.6 times higher odds to be admitted to ICU or died, compared to ambulatory patients (OR: 5.60;95%CI: 1.21;25.99;P = 0.028). More tooth loss was significantly associated with COVID-19 severity (p = 0.047). Per tooth lost, patients had 4.2% higher odds for severe than mild COVID-19 (OR: 1.04;95%CI: 1.00;1.09;P = 0.047) and 6.0% higher odds for severe than moderate COVID-19 (OR: 1.06;95%CI: 1.01;1.11;P = 0.017). When adjusting for confounders in multivariate analyses, the significant associations of COVID-19 with alveolar bone loss and tooth loss were no longer present. Conclusion In this retrospective explorative pilot study, alveolar bone loss and tooth loss are associated with the severity of COVID-19, however they are not independent risk factors. The current study could contribute to the design of further studies on the relationship between oral health and COVID-19.