COVID-19 hospitalized patients and oral changes: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between hospitalization for COVID-19 and oral changes, and to evaluate whether oral changes can indicate a higher risk of disease progression to death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study analyzed patients hospitalized (university hospital), including those in intensive care unit and clinical wards. The study group comprised 69 COVID-19 positive patients (PCR-test), while the control group included 43 COVID-19 negative patients. A dentist performed oral evaluations, and salivary samples were collected for calcium, phosphatase, and pH analysis. Sociodemographic data, hospitalization information, and hematological test results were collected from electronic-medical records. The presence of oral changes was assessed using chi-square tests, and the predicted risk of death was analyzed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: COVID-19 positive patients had a significantly higher prevalence of oral changes compared to COVID-19 negative patients. The presence of any oral changes in COVID-19 positive patients indicated a 13-fold higher risk of mortality. "Bleeding ulcers," "pressure ulcers," and "angular cheilitis" were significantly associated with hospitalization for COVID-19. CONCLUSION: There may be an association between hospitalization for COVID-19 and the development of oral changes, including bleeding ulcers, pressure ulcers. and angular cheilitis. These oral changes may serve as potential indicator for disease progression an increased risk of death. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: COVID-19 hospitalized patients have a higher prevalence of oral changes, which indicate an increased risk of mortality. Oral medicine staff should be included in multidisciplinary teams to detect and treat these oral changes promptly.

Periodontal disease and quality of life in patients with circulatory diseases / Doença periodontal e qualidade de vida em pacientes com doenças circulatórias

Introduction: Circulatory system diseases are one of the leading causes of death. Periodontal health is a component of oral and general health that contributes to quality of life. Objective: To analyze periodontal conditions and quality of life in patients with circulatory diseases. Material and method: Cross-sectional study, with patients with circulatory diseases (n=125). The clinical periodontal examination was performed considering: biofilm, bleeding on probing, suppuration, probing depth, gingival recession, and clinical attachment level. Quality of life was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Oral Health Impact Profile - short form (OHIP-14). Data were analyzed with parametric and nonparametric tests (α=5%). Result: Elderly and men had a greater severity of periodontal disease. The Elderly had lower values in the domains of "Functional capacity" and "Physical aspects" (SF-36). The domain "Pain" had lower values in subjects with health/gingivitis. OHIP-14 did not show differences in the comparisons. There was no correlation between quality of life and the severity of periodontal disease. Conclusion: Among patients with circulatory diseases, the elderly and men had greater severity of periodontal disease. The elderly had a poorer quality of life (functional capacity and physical aspects). There was no correlation between the severity of periodontal disease and quality of life.

Introdução: As doenças do aparelho circulatório representam uma das principais causas de mortes. A saúde periodontal é um componente da saúde bucal e saúde geral que contribui para a qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Analisar as condições periodontais e a qualidade de vida em pacientes com doenças circulatórias. Material e método: Estudo transversal, com pacientes com doenças circulatórias (n=125). O exame clínico periodontal foi realizado considerando: biofilme, sangramento à sondagem, supuração, profundidade de sondagem, recessão gengival e nível de inserção clínica. A qualidade de vida foi avaliada com o Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) e Oral Health Impact Profile - short form (OHIP-14). Os dados foram analisados com testes paramétricos e não paramétricos (α=5%). Resultado Idosos e os homens tiveram maior severidade da doença periodontal. Idosos apresentaram menores valores nos domínios "Capacidade funcional" e "Aspectos físicos" (SF-36). O domínio "Dor" teve menor valor nos indivíduos com saúde/gengivite. OHIP-14 não apresentou diferenças nas comparações. Não houve correlação entre qualidade de vida a severidade da doença periodontal. Conclusão Entre os pacientes com doenças circulatórias, os idosos e os homens tiveram maior severidade da doença periodontal. Idosos tiveram pior qualidade de vida (capacidade funcional e aspectos físicos). Não houve correlação entre a severidade da doença periodontal e a qualidade de vida.