The correlation between poor oral health and COVID-19 severity, as well as the correlation between oral health and delayed recovery, demonstrates a potential need to consider oral health an additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease patients who may contract COVID-19. The new sub-study, examining Egyptian cardiovascular disease patients, will be presented during the ACC Middle East 2021 conference – a hybrid meeting held in Cairo and virtually in partnership by the ACC, Egyptian Society of Cardiology and the ACC Egypt Chapter on Oct. 14-15.

The study included 86 Egyptian cardiovascular disease patients with a confirmed COVID-19 PCR test. Using a questionnaire, researchers from Cairo University assessed oral health and COVID-19 severity. An oral health score was used to determine the effect of oral health on COVID-19. Data on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and COVID-19 PCR tests were collected via the questionnaire and confirmed via medical records.

According to the researchers, the correlation between oral health and COVID-19 severity showed a significant inverse relationship, as did the correlation between oral health with recovery period and CRP values. Poor oral health was correlated to increased values of CRP and delayed recovery, especially in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

“Oral tissues could act as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2, developing a high viral load in the oral cavity. Therefore, we recommended maintenance of oral health and improving oral hygiene measures, especially during COVID-19 infection,” said Ahmed Mustafa Basuoni, MD, lead author of the study. “Simple measures like practicing proper oral hygiene, raising awareness of oral health importance either in relation to COVID-19 infection or systemic diseases by using media and community medicine, regular dental visits, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease, and using [antimicrobial] mouthwashes [could help in] preventing or decreasing the severity of COVID-19 disease.” 

The ACC Middle East 2021 conference is an opportunity for cardiovascular care team members throughout the Middle East to gather and learn the latest evidence-based strategies for improving the heart health of their patients. Led by co-chairs, Mohamed Sobhy, MD, FACC, governor of the ACC Chapter in Egypt and chair and CEO of the International Cardiac Center Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt, and Khaled M. Ziada, MD, FACC, chief academic officer of Cardiovascular Interventions and co-director of the Coronary Artery Disease Center at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH, the conference consists of educational discussions, poster presentations and disease-specific breakout sessions. In-person attendees will also have access to hand-on simulations and interactive skills labs.

Learn more about ACC Middle East 2021.

Clinical Topics: COVID-19 Hub, Atherosclerotic Disease (CAD/PAD)

Keywords: Polymerase Chain Reaction, Anti-Infective Agents, Cardiology, Cardiovascular System, COVID-19, Oral Hygiene, Community Medicine, Oral Health, Coronary Artery Disease, SARS-CoV-2, C-Reactive Protein, Egypt, Cardiovascular Diseases, ACC International

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