Association Between Oral Health and Airflow Limitation: Analysis Using a Nationwide Survey in Korea

BACKGROUND

Although poor oral health is a common comorbidity in individuals with airflow limitation (AFL), few studies have comprehensively evaluated this association. Furthermore, the association between oral health and the severity of AFL has not been well elucidated.

METHODS

Using a population-based nationwide survey, we classified individuals according to the presence or absence of AFL defined as pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity < 0.7. Using multivariable logistic regression analyses, we evaluated the association between AFL severity and the number of remaining teeth; the presence of periodontitis; the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index; and denture wearing.

RESULTS

Among the 31,839 participants, 14% had AFL. Compared with the control group, the AFL group had a higher proportion of periodontitis (88.8% vs. 79.4%), complete denture (6.2% vs. 1.6%), and high DMFT index (37.3% vs. 27.8%) (P < 0.001 for all). In multivariable analyses, denture status: removable partial denture (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.04-1.20) and complete denture (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.01-2.05), high DMFT index (aOR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.24), and fewer permanent teeth (0-19; aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.12-1.52) were significantly associated with AFL. Furthermore, those with severe to very severe AFL had a significantly higher proportion of complete denture (aOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.11-3.71) and fewer remaining teeth (0-19; aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.57-3.01).

CONCLUSION

Denture wearing, high DMFT index, and fewer permanent teeth are significantly associated with AFL. Furthermore, a reduced number of permanent teeth (0-19) was significantly related to the severity of AFL. Therefore, physicians should pay attention to oral health in managing patients with AFL, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Association between Dental Caries and Handgrip Strength: In a Population-Based Study in Korea (KNHANES 2016-2018)

This study aimed to verify the relationship between handgrip strength and oral health using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, representing Korean adults. Data from the seventh survey (2016−2018) conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were utilized, and 10,607 final study participants were recruited according to the selection and exclusion criteria. A complex sample logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the relationship between handgrip strength and dental caries according to the sex of the study participants. On analyzing the correlation in men, “C1 (DMFT: 11−32),” when compared to “C4 (DMFT: 0−3),” in Model 1 without adjustment for potential confounders, was 2.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.15−3.97) times more likely to be associated with lower handgrip strength, and a statistically significant result was detected (p < 0.001). Additionally, significant odds ratios (ORs) were confirmed for all adjusted models. In women, the ORs in Model 1 without adjustment for potential confounders were 1.41 times (95% CI: 1.14−1.75) and demonstrated a significant result; however, the results were not significant in all adjusted models 2−4. Resultantly, a significant association was detected between dental caries and handgrip strength in Korean adults.