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 C hronic O bstructive P ulmonary D isease ( 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 ( FEV 1/ FVC ) and FEV 1 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.