Oral Health and Wellbeing of Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease that significantly impacts everyday life. To date, little is known about oral cavity health in patients with IPF. Aim The study aimed to evaluate the condition of the oral cavity in patients with IPF and to assess their quality of life concerning oral cavity health. Methods The study was a cross-sectional one, collecting clinical data of patients with IPF and control subjects without pulmonary disorders. Data collection included baseline characteristics, oral cavity inspection results, and 12 answers provided in the GOHAI questionnaire. Periodontal status was investigated, and PD, CAL, BoP, API, CPITN and OHI were analyzed. Saliva secretion, halitosis, and oral lesions were also assessed. Results A total of 85 subjects – 40 patients with IPF and 45 controls – were enrolled in the study. In patients with IPF, both lower PD [0.54 (0.36–0.96) vs. 1.1 (0.6–1.44); p=0.001] and CAL [0.54 (0.3–1.26) vs. 1.43 (1.04–1.91); p=0.006] were found, and those patients also had lower saliva secretion [1.08 (0.33) vs. 1.28 (0.39); p=0.01]. Patients with IPF received periodontal treatment less frequently [2 (2.24%) vs. 15 (17.6%); p=0.001], and dental instruction was shown to them less often compared to the controls [13 (32.5) vs. 26 (57.78); p=0.02]. Moreover, IPF patients had significantly higher GOHAI scores [50.68 (5.24) vs. 44.37 (5.94); p<0.001] compared to the control subjects. Conclusions Our study findings prompt the need for regular dental consultations and careful observation of dental prophylaxis in patients with IPF. The differences noted in the quality of life assessed using a GOHAI questionnaire need a further validation in larger cohort studies.