Association Between Poor Oral Hygiene and Respiratory Infections in Elderly Populations: A Comparative CrossSectional Study

Abstract

Background: Poor oral hygiene has been recognized as a significant risk factor for respiratory infections, particularly among elderly populations, due to the possibility of pathogenic microorganisms residing in the oral cavity being aspirated into the lower respiratory tract, thereby worsening existing respiratory conditions. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between various oral health indicators and respiratory infections among elderly individuals living both in community and institutionalized settings. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out including 357 elderly participants aged 60 years or older. Data were gathered through structured interviews and clinical examinations, assessing oral health indicators such as the oral hygiene index (OHI), presence of periodontal disease, dry mouth, and dental caries. Respiratory infections were identified by reviewing participants’ medical records. Statistical analysis involved multivariate logistic regression using SPSS version 25 to determine significant predictors of respiratory infections. Results: Among the study population, 178 participants with respiratory infections exhibited higher mean OHI scores (3.9 ± 1.2) than those without infections (2.8 ± 1.1; p < 0.001). The prevalence of periodontal disease was also notably higher in the infection group (81.5%) compared to those without infections (53.6%; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that poor OHI (odds ratio [OR]: 2.41, confidence interval [CI]: 1.72–3.38) and institutionalization (OR: 1.92, CI: 1.25–2.96) were significant predictors of respiratory infections (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that poor oral hygiene substantially increases the risk of respiratory infections among elderly individuals, underscoring the importance of integrating routine oral health care into geriatric health services to help mitigate these risks.