Background and rationale {6a}
COPD, COPD exacerbations
COPD, PERIODONTAL DISEASES, LUNG, COPD EXACERBATION
Lung function has been established several decades ago as a major predictor of increased mortality later in life (as reported by [
Epidemiological findings on the associations between periodontal diseases and COPD and lower lung function in adults and potential biological mechanismsTherefore, the results of interventional studies, which control for smoking, are essential. Until now, three interventional trials have demonstrated positive effects of periodontal therapy in patients with COPD, among them two non-randomized trials [
Interventional studies on lung function improvements and reduced COPD exacerbations in adults by reduction of periodontal diseases
Potential biological mechanisms of how oral bacteria can affect the lung [Regarding the details of the potential mechanisms, Linden et al. [It is worthwhile to mention that all presently available observational studies consistently showed lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV