Effects of periodontal treatment on lung function and exacerbation frequency in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic periodontitis: A 2-year pilot randomized controlled trial.

Aim To evaluate the direct effects of periodontal therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD) patients with chronic periodontitis ( CP). Materials and Methods In a pilot randomized controlled trial, 60 COPD patients with CP were randomly assigned to receive scaling and root planing ( SRP) treatment, supragingival scaling treatment, or oral hygiene instructions only with no periodontal treatment. We evaluated their periodontal indexes, respiratory function, and COPD exacerbations at baseline, 6 months, 1, and 2 years. Results Compared with the control group, measurements of periodontal indexes were significantly improved in patients in two treatment groups at 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up (all p < 0.05). Overall, the means of forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity ( FEV1/ FVC) and FEV1 were significantly higher in the two therapy groups compared with the control group during the follow-up ( p < 0.05). In addition, the frequencies of COPD exacerbation were significantly lower in the two therapy groups than in the control group at 2-year follow-up ( p < 0.05). Conclusions Our preliminary results from this pilot trial suggest that periodontal therapy in COPD patients with CP may improve lung function and decrease the frequency of COPD exacerbation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]