Obstructive sleep apnea and periodontitis: a systematic review with considerations on CPAP therapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/aos.v85.46512Keywords:
Periodontitis, obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure, oral microbiome, systematic reviewAbstract
Objective: To evaluate the association between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and periodontitis and to assess the available evidence on the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on periodontal status.
Materials and methods: This review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. Comprehensive literature searches were performed in Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Study selection and data extraction were carried out independently by two reviewers. A total of 20 original studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool.
Results: Fourteen of the 20 studies (70%) reported a significant association between OSA and periodontitis. However, only two studies fulfilled all methodological quality criteria, indicating an overall moderate to low quality of evidence. Data on the effects of CPAP therapy on periodontal outcomes were limited, and the available studies generally showed no significant impact.
Conclusions: Current evidence supports an association between OSA and periodontitis, suggesting that OSA may contribute to periodontitis. Robust, well-designed studies with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodology are needed to clarify the nature of this relationship and to determine whether CPAP therapy influences periodontal health.
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