Dental management of COPD patient

SS Rahman1, M Faruque2, MHA Khan3, SA Hossain4

Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases have increased in prevalence
and the rate of death of this chronic inflammatory disease of the airways
has also risen despite recent advances in medical treatments. The dental
health care professionals must be prepared to treat more medically
compromised individuals. Because dental professionals operate at the
origin of the upper airway and many dental procedures are deemed
stressful, patients with chronic respiratory diseases are at special risk.
This article will review the patho-physiology and discuss the recognition
and management of dental patients with these diseases and provide an
understanding on how to avoid precipitating factors that could initiate
an acute episode in the dental care setting. The most important factor in
preventing COPD is helping patients stop smoking.

Bang Med J (Khulna) 2011; 44 : 21-24

Introduction attributes to 87% to 91% of COPD development. Other

The Management of patients with Chronic Obstructive contributory factors to COPD include recurrent respiratory tract
Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may pose a challenge to the infection, air pollution, cotton textile dust heredity and aging.8
dental surgeon. A thorough understanding of the COPD Survey reveals 15% of the smoker likely to develop clinically
diseases is paramount to the successful treatment of these significant COPD and the risk of COPD is 8.8 times higher in
individuals. Morbidity and mortality for COPD patients males smoker and 5.9% higher in female smoker compared with
have increased over time. These varieties of patient present non smoker of the same gender.9 It is proposed that cigarette
particular problem both in diagnosis and treatment planning smoke can activate macrophages in the lung to release factors that
and thereby dental therapeutics may need a modification.1 directly stimulate neutrophils to secrete elastases and combine
The American thoracic society has defined COPD as a with oxidants and free radicals, which in turn oxidize a1-anti
disease state characterized by the presence of air flow trypsin.10 It should be noted, however, that very, few patients
obstruction either due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exhibit symptoms
the airflow obstruction is generally progressive may be exclusive of chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Infact, many
accompanied by airway hyperactivity and may be partially patients share symptoms attributed to both conditions.11
reversible.2 COPD attacks the air ways and air sacs within Both conditions share a common etiology, with exposure to
the lungs, which make breathing difficult. As destructive tobacco smoke being the primary cause of chronic obstructive
changes progress, lung mechanism are altered due to the pulmonary disease. However, for reasons that are unclear, only
disease, increasing the work of breathing by 10 to 20 times about 15 percent of cigarette smokers actually develop clinically
of a normal person.3 COPD afflicts about 15 million significant COPD, while tobacco smoking is known to account
Americans.4 COPD accounts for about 110,000 deaths/ for 80 percent of the risk acquiring disease.12 With smoking
year and 95000 new patients are diagnosed annually. An cessation in individuals with mild to moderate airflow
average of 9.8 years of life are lost in patients with COPD.5 obstruction, the rate of deterioration can return to that seen in
COPD is also a significant cause of disability that becomes nonsmokers, and their symptoms may decrease.13 Children of
progressively worse if nothing is done to control it.6 In smokers are known to have a higher incidence of respiratory
addition to the definition of American Thoracic society, symptoms and respiratory function is decreased when measured
British Thoracic society adds reduced forced expiratory through pulmonary function test.14 Breathing in secondhand
volume in 1 second (FEVI) and reduced FEVI/FVC ratio smoke, air pollution and chemical fumes or dust from the
which does not change markedly over several months.7 environment or work place also can contribute to COPD. Second
Now a days increasing number of COPD patients are hand smoke is smoke in the air from other people smoking.
coming to health care management centre for dental
Environmental pollution such as air pollution, indoor irritant
treatment. But due to lack of knowledge of dental
sources and occupational air borne hazard. Cities like Dhaka,
management protocol for COPD patient, we refer the
Kolkata, Delhi having in higher amount of SPM (Suspended
patient to tertiary level hospital. For this reason most of the
Particulate Matter) and RSMP (Respiratory Suspended Particulate
COPD patients do not get any dental treatment specially
Matter) posses of greater threat to its inhabitants of developing
economically deprived groups.
COPD.
Aetiology In rare cases, a genetic condition called alpha-I antitrypsin
Most cases of COPD occur as a result of long term exposure deficiency may play a role in causing COPD. People who have
to lung irritants that damage the lungs and the airways. The this condition have low levels of alpha-I antitrypsin (AAT)
primary cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. Smoking protein made in the liver. Having a low level of the AAT protein

1. Sheikh Shahidur Rahman MPH, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Dental Surgery, Khulna Medical College, Khulna.
2. Mohammad Faruque MMED, Director, (Dental), DGHS, Dhaka.
3. Md. Haider Ali Khan MPH, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Dental Public Health, Dhaka Dental College, Dhaka
4. Shaikh Amir Hossain FCPS, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Medicine, Khulna Medical College.
can lead to lung damage and COPD if exposed to smoke or management of patients with moderate to severe chronic
other lung irritants. If anyone has this condition and smoke, obstructive pulmonary disease.
COPD can worsen very quickly. Because COPD cannot be cured, medical treatment is directed at
reducing the degenerative effects of the disease and managing the
Clinical presentation acute and chronic symptoms of chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
The signs and symptoms of COPD include Smoking cessation is the single most important therapy for
An ongoing cough or a cough that produces large patients with obstructive airway disease and proves to be the
amounts of mucus (often called smokers cough) greatest challenge for the patient and the physician in managing
Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity. the disease.16 The smokers should give advice to stop smoking
Wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound when you six weeks before dental procedure. Patients offered a professional
breathe) and reassuring environment with short, focused dental treatments
Chest tightness. early in the day, placing a patient in a reclined position or the use
However, not everyone who has these symptoms has of rubber dam can contribute to a severe respiratory compromise.
COPD. Some of the symptoms of COPD are similar to the Low-flow supplemental oxygen administration via nasal canula at
symptoms of other diseases and conditions. If COPD is rates of 2 to 4 L/minute is appropriate even in patients with severe
severe and develops corpulmonale results right sided disease. Oxyen theapy is an important therapeutic agent for
cardiac failure leads to swelling in ankles, feet, legs, a hypoxemic patients. It can improve survival in COPD patients
bluish' colour on lips due to a low blood oxygen level and when uses continuously.17
shortness of breath. As a group, patients with asthma, bronchitis and chronic
COPD symptoms usually slowly worsen overtime. At first, restrictive or obstructive pulmonary disease are best managed
if symptom is mild, may not notice, or may adjust lifestyle with local anaesthesia for out patient procedures.18 The selection
to make breathing easier. For example, anyone may take the of local anesthetic is important when treating COPD. Many local
elevator instead of the stairs. Severity of symptoms are anaesthetic solutions contain sulfites which precipitate acute
depends on how much lung damage. If patient keep asthmatic attacks and allergic reactions.19 These compounds are
smoking, the damage will occur faster than if stop smoking. found in local anaesthetic preparations containing epinephrine and
Some severe symptoms may require treatment in a hospital. levonordefin and the preparations should not be used. If the
If patient with the help of family members or friends, are patient is treated with local anaesthesia the bronchodilator inhaler
unable - should seek emergency care if should be kept ready for use in case of emergency. If there is an
Having a hard time catching breath or talking Lips or acute attack on the table patients can use nebuliser with
fingernails turn blue or gray bronchodilator like salbutamol. From the surgeons point of view
the most important aspect is the patient's respiratory reserve and
Not mentally alert his ability to tolerate general anaesthesia. Outpatient general
Heart beat is very fast anaesthesia is not recommended for most patients with COPD.20
The recommended treatment for symptoms that are Sedation can be considered, but potent sedatives, barbiturates or
getting worse is not working. narcotics should be avoided as they can depress the respiratory
Patients with suspected history of the disease or with known drive. Nitrous oxide and high flow rates of oxygen are
disease status should be evaluated and should undergo some contraindicated because their use can result in respiratory
routine investigation. These are depression. Anticholinergic or antihistamines can alter
i) Thorough clinical history including risk factor tracheobronchial secretion leading to air flow disturbance. When
assessment
ii) Lung function test the symptoms associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease are continuous or more severe and their management with
iii) Spirometry/Lung volume studies
the bronchodilators is suboptimal, the use of sustained release
iv) Chest X-ray or chest CT scan theophylline is considered. Theophylline has been shown to
v) An arterial blood gas test improve respiratory muscle function, stimulate the respiratory
Patient with COPD may have other debilitating medical centre and improve mucocilliary clearance.21 Patients with co-
condition like hypertension, myocardial infarction, can existing cardiac disease, corpulmonale and pulmonary
complicate and make the prognosis worst and thus should hypertension may benefit from the improved cardiac output,
be carefully investigated along with medical complaints.15 reduced pulmonary vascular resistance and improved myocardium
perfusion that theophylline can produce.
Dental management protocol When antibiotic therapy is indicated, patients taking theophylline
The primary objective for the dental surgeon in the should not be given macrolides (i.e. erythromycin, azithromycin
management of a patient with a medical condition is to and clarithromycin) ciprofloxin, clindamicin, which can lead IV
prevent any complications related to that condition as a methylxanthine toxicity. In cases of using NSAIDS, at anti-
result of dental treatment. The COPD patient can be treated inflammatory doses respiration is stimulated by peripheral and
for his or her dental needs when the dental health central action. Salicylate causes respiratory depression.
practitioner has developed a risk assessment that is As acetaminophen and Cox-2 inhibitors do not precipitate
individualized for the patient. This assessment begins with bronchospasm, it can be used for these patients. The use of
an appropriate understanding of the patient's medical corticosteroids has limited applications in the treatment of COPD
history. The health history questionnaire and a given that the disease process is primarily one of tissue
comprehensive interview by the dental surgeon is the degeneration and destruction with little or no reversible
foundation of the risk assessment process. The reduction of component.22 The COPD patient is at risk for developing excess
stress and avoidance of any procedures that may depress a cough and mucous production, specially if chronic bronchitis is
patient's respiratory function are essential in the present. The use of humidified warm air and maintenance of
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Dental management of the medically compromised patient. 6th ed.
increased work of breathing. A high intake of carbohydrate
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replacement therapy for a antitrypsin deficiency insight into the more
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nutrition may be indicated to provide adequate nutritional
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support after surgery.24
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COPD. Patients with moderate to severe pulmonary disease study. Thorax 1991; 46 : 112-4.
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