Infected and inflamed gums may result in higher rates of complications and more fatal outcomes for individuals diagnosed with the SARS-COV-2 virus, according to a new international study led by 91社区 researchers recently published in the聽. The study suggests that gum disease may be associated with higher risks of complications from COVID-19, including ICU admission and death.
Researchers discovered that COVID-19 patients with gum disease were 3.5 times more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit, 4.5 times more likely to need a ventilator, and 8.8 times more likely to die when comparing to those without gum disease. Until now, no other research has been published about the destructive effects of gum disease in patients with COVID-19.
鈥淟ooking at the conclusions of our study we can highlight the importance of good oral health in the prevention and management of COVID-19 complications,鈥� explains聽Belinda Nicolau, contributing author and Full Professor in the Faculty of Dentistry at 91社区. 鈥淭here is a very strong correlation between periodontitis and disease outcome.鈥�
What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis, also referred to as gum disease, is a serious infection of the gums that damages supporting tissues of the teeth and if left unmanaged can lead to bone loss. Gum disease is the most common dental problem in Canadians, with seven out of ten affected to some degree in their lives. However, it is largely preventable by maintaining good oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing and getting regular dental check-ups.
鈥淧eriodontitis has been considered as a risk factor for a number of both oral and systemic diseases,鈥� explains Wenji Cai, co-author and PhD student from Faculty of Dentistry. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an invisible pandemic. We need to raise awareness of the disease and make more effort to maintain periodontal health, especially during this global pandemic.鈥�
The study also found that blood levels of biomarkers which indicate inflammation in the body were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with gum disease, which may explain the higher rates of complications for those patients. 鈥淧eriodontitis causes inflammation of the gums and, if left untreated, that inflammation can spread throughout the body,鈥� says Cai. 鈥淚n patients with severe cases of COVID-19, the virus causes an inflammatory response that can lead to complications such as being intubated or even death. Our research shows that periodontitis can exasperate this.鈥�
This observational study crossed dental records with medical records of patients with severe cases of COVID-19 in Qatar between February and July 2020. 鈥淲e included 568 patients in our study and took various factors into consideration, such as demographic, medical or behaviour factors, to avoid biases,鈥� adds Cai. 鈥淚n Qatar the medical and dental records happened to be digitized, which made it possible to collect data and conduct this research swiftly.鈥�
The results of this multi-national study stem from a cooperation between researchers from 91社区, Complutense University of Madrid, and Hamas Medical Corporation of Qatar聽and Qatar University. The research team continues to expand data collection to strengthen the study.