Oral hygiene important as oral microorganisms linked to long COVID among elderly

A study was done to describe acute and long-term COVID-19 symptoms among older elderly Swedes and to find predictive factors for the development of symptoms associated with acute and long-term COVID-19. A questionnaire about general and oral health was mailed to all 80-year-olds (born 1942, n = 6299) and 90-year-olds (born 1932, n = 1904) in two Swedish counties. Participants reporting COVID-19 were asked to complete an additional questionnaire. Results: Overall response rate was 66 % (n = 5375). Affirmative responses to having been sick/tested positive for COVID-19 were reported by 577 persons. The response rate to the COVID-19 questionnaire was 49 %. Most (88 %) reported some general symptoms during the acute stage while 44 % reported orofacial symptom/s. Reporting of long-COVID general symptoms was 37 and 35 % for orofacial symptoms. Predictive factors for contracting COVID-19 (based on self-report from 2017) were living in an elderly housing/senior care facility, large number (>10) of weekly social contacts, being married and high school/university education. The highest odds ratio for general symptoms of long-term COVID was a single complete denture, reporting bad breath and daytime dry mouth. Regarding long-term orofacial symptoms, the highest risk factors were bad breath and a single complete denture in one jaw. Long-COVID general and orofacial symptoms are common among older elderly COVID-19 survivors. Oral microorganisms may be responsible for the development of long-COVID symptoms. Health personnel managing COVID-19 patients should carefully examine dental status, especially those with acrylic-based removable dentures, for oral signs and symptoms. If found, rigorous oral hygiene procedures should be carried out including cleaning/disinfection of the denture.

Reference:

Ann-Katrin Johansson, Ridwaan Omar, Sverre Lehmann, Josefin Sannevik, Berit Mastrovito, Anders Johansson. General and orofacial symptoms associated with acute and long COVID in 80- and 90-year-old Swedish COVID-19 survivors. Journal of Dentistry, Volume 141,

2024,104824,ISSN 0300-5712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104824.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571223004104)

Keywords:

Oral hygiene, oral microorganisms, long COVID, COVID elderly, Journal of Dentistry, Ageing; Corona; Denture; Dry mouth; Halitosis; Questionnaire, Ann-Katrin Johansson, Ridwaan Omar, Sverre Lehmann, Josefin Sannevik, Berit Mastrovito, Anders Johansson