Table 4.
Summary findings and evidence certainty for all outcomes using GRADE
| Outcomes | Impact | № of participants (studies) | Certainty of the evidence(GRADE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exacerbations | Periodontal treatment results in a significant reduction in the frequency of exacerbations at one and 2 years follow | 100 (one randomised and one non randomised trial) | ⨁⨁⨁◯ (a) MODERATE |
| Exacerbations | Periodontal health parameters mainly PI, GI, BI, as well as fewer number of teeth and lower brushing times, are significantly associated with exacerbations | 698 (3 observational studies) | ⨁⨁⨁◯ (b) MODERATE |
| Quality of Life | Periodontal treatment did not improve the quality of life of COPD patients | 30 (1 clinical trial) | ⨁⨁◯◯ (a, c) LOW |
| Quality of Life | Worse OHIP 5, missing teeth and high PI scores were associated with worse SGRQ Scores | 362 (2 observational studies) | ⨁⨁◯◯ (b) LOW |
| Hospitalisation | There are 7 hospitalisations in the test compared to 12 in the control group at 12 months follow up | 40 (1 Clinical trial) | ⨁⨁◯◯ (a, c) LOW |
| Hospitalisation | Edentulous, poor oral hygiene, periodontal parameters PI, GI, BI are associated with increased risk of hospitalisation | 1941 (3 observational studies) | ⨁⨁◯◯ (d) LOW |
GRADE Working Group grades of evidence
High certainty: We are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect
Moderate certainty: We are moderately confident in the effect estimate: The true effect is likely to be close to the estimate of the effect, but there is a possibility that it is substantially different
Low certainty: Our confidence in the effect estimate is limited: The true effect may be substantially different from the estimate of the effect
Very low certainty: We have very little confidence in the effect estimate: The true effect is likely to be substantially different from the estimate of effect
(a) Downgraded due to high risk of bias on randomisation and selection of reported results
(b) Observational studies upgraded due to effect size
(c) Downgraded due lack of precision (small sample size)
(d) Observational studies graded as low