Unvaccinated periodontal patients with a history of COVID-19: clinical findings in a Dental School setting

• Published in: Brazilian dental journal 2023, Vol.34 (5), p.134-139
• Main Authors: Roza, Vanessa B., Brasil, Sabrina C., Mello, Luiza F., Silva-Boghossian, Carina M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0103-6440; 1806-4760
• DOI: 10.1590/0103-6440202305284

Abstract This study analyzed the periodontal clinical data of individuals with a history of COVID-19 treated in a dental school during the pandemic in 2021 before vaccination. Methods: This analysis included individuals older than 18 years with no history of systemic disorders other than systemic arterial hypertension. Individuals who had COVID-19 were classified according to the World Health Organization as asymptomatic, with mild, moderate, severe, or critical symptoms. Results: A total of 95 individuals were evaluated, which included 24 with a history of COVID-19. Seventeen percent had been asymptomatic, 21% had mild, 25% moderate, 21% severe, and 17% critical symptoms, including intubation. Individuals with no history of COVID-19 presented significantly lower measurements of probing depth (p=0.003; Mann-Whitney test) and clinical attachment level (p=0.002) compared to individuals with a history of COVID-19. A significant negative association was found between bleeding on probing and the severity of characteristics of COVID-19 (rho= -0.233; p=0.023). Conversely, positive associations between the values of probing depth (rho= 0.292; p=0.004) and mean clinical attachment level (rho= 0.300; p=0.003) and the characteristics of COVID-19 were found. Conclusions: The periodontal data shows that patients who had COVID-19 before vaccination may present a worse periodontal status when compared to patients in the same clinical setting with no history of COVID-19. However, a more extensive study should confirm it with more participants. Resumo Este estudo analisou os dados clínicos periodontais de indivíduos com histórico de COVID-19 tratados em uma escola de odontologia durante a pandemia em 2021, antes da vacinação. Métodos: Essa análise incluiu indivíduos maiores de 18 anos sem histórico de distúrbios sistêmicos, exceto hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Os indivíduos que tiveram COVID-19 foram classificados de acordo com a Organização Mundial da Saúde como assintomáticos, com sintomas leves, moderados, graves ou críticos. Resultados: 95 indivíduos foram avaliados, incluindo 24 com histórico de COVID-19. 17% eram assintomáticos, 21% tinham sintomas leves, 25% moderados, 21% graves e 17% críticos, incluindo intubação. Os indivíduos sem histórico de COVID-19 apresentaram medidas significativamente mais baixas de profundidade de sondagem (p=0,003; teste de Mann-Whitney) e nível de fixação clínica (p=0,002) em comparação com indivíduos com histórico de COVID-19. Foi en