Introduction.

Studies associated periodontitis with an increased risk of complications from COVID-19. More scientific evidence is required.

Aim.

To establish the association between Periodontitis and Dental Caries with the severity of COVID- 19 in patients hospitalized in a level III hospital in the city of Iquitos, Perú.

Material and methods.

A case-control study was carried out, cases were defined as 114 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 registered in the ICU, deceased and oxygen dependent at discharge. Controls were defined as 86 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, discharged without oxygen dependence. The information was extracted from electronic medical records. The sample was probabilistic, 200 patients were included from May 2020 to December 2021. The prevalence of Dental Caries was evaluated with the DMFT índex and the presence of Periodontitis according to the ICD-10 diagnosis.

Results.

Significant associations were found between Periodontitis and COVID-19 severity adjusted for factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities, OR 29.00 (8.02-104.80) for all complications (cases), OR 2.70 (1.10-6.64) for deceased, and OR 4.40 (2.21-8.75) for ICU patients. Patients admitted to the ICU presented elevated CRP levels (P=0.001). The highest level of DMFT índex was significant (P=0.000) in patients admitted to the ICU with OR 0.23 (0.12-0.45).

Conclusions.

There is an association between periodontitis and the severity of COVID-19, periodontitis was associated with an increased risk of complications from COVID-19, including admission to the ICU and death of hospitalized patients. The increase in CPR levels was associated with admission to the ICU.