Assessment of Oral Bacterial Microflora in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders

Background & Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder is an inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive deterioration of pulmonary function and increasing airway obstruction, includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The oral cavity has been considered a potential reservoir for respiratory pathogens. Oral bacteria may play a vital role in the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Hence, we intend to study the bacterial microflora of oral cavity in stable COPD patients. Methods: In this study 20 patients aged between 20 to 60 years diagnosed with stable COPD and 20 normal healthy controls were selected based on the set inclusion and exclusion criteria. A detailed case history, physical examination and investigations and all the subjects were examined for gingival and periodontal status by recording the Oral hygiene which comprises debris index and calculus index and periodontal index and Quantitative oropharyngeal cultures were obtained by oral washing using isotonic saline as the collecting fluid. Results: A significant higher score of OHI(S) and PI was observed in COPD patients. There is a direct correlation between periodontal pathogens with the severity of COPD. Conclusion: The predominant organisms found in the oropharyngeal secretions were porphyromonas gingivalis and haemophilus influenza, in COPD patients.