Abstract

Context: The treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma relates to the use of inhaled medications; 80 to 90% of these medications remain in the mouth and can lead to a deterioration of the normal physiology of the oral mucosa, potentially causing altered taste, halitosis, dry mouth, ulcers, gingivitis or periodontitis, and even oropharyngeal candidiasis. Objectives: To study the oral tolerance of inhaled therapy in patients with asthma and COPD at the Jamot Hospital in Yaoundé: establish and compare oral profiles and investigate any association with inhaled therapy. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 participants aged 18 years and older. The case group consisted of 40 patients on inhaled therapy for at least six months, and the control group consisted of 40 healthy participants selected based on their medical records. The DMFT index for caries, OHI-S for oral hygiene status, gingival index, and presence of ulcers, candidiasis lesions, halitosis, and dry mouth allowed for comparing the oral profiles of the participants. Data analysis was performed using IBM-SPSS software for Windows. Fisher’s exact test, ANOVA, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparing oral health profiles. A p ≤ 0.05 value was considered statistically significant. Results: The OHI-S score (P=0.002), simplified debris index (P=0.002), tartar index (P=0.013), number of missing teeth (P=0.012), xerostomia (ORa: 3.92; P=0.006), altered taste (ORa: 3.86; P=0.048), and halitosis (ORa: 2.85; P=0.041) were significantly higher in the case group. The mean values of the indices and the frequencies of oral manifestations in the case group were higher. No association has been observed between duration, dosage, type of treatment, and oral manifestations. Conclusion: The plaque, tartar, number of missing teeth, xerostomia, halitosis, and altered taste were higher in cases than in controls.Therefore, it is necessary to make arrangements for the appropriate follow-up and care of patients with asthma and COPD treated with inhaled medications.

Keywords

chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy, asthma, inhaled therapy, oral health, Jamot hospital