[The influence of edentulism on spirometric values].
BACKGROUND
Aim of the paper is to study whether edentulism, by causing a decrease in size and tone of pharyngeal musculature, may affect spirometric measurements.


METHODS
Spirometry was recorded with and without dentures in 58 edentulous subjects, 36 asymptomatic normal subjects (N) and 22 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 10 subjects retropharyngeal space with and without dentures was assessed by cephalometry.


RESULTS
In the N group, removing dentures produced a significant decrease in lung volumes and airflow rates, while in COPD patients it was ineffective. In both groups, retropharyngeal space was significantly decreased by removing dentures.


CONCLUSIONS
Edentulism, by decreasing extrathoracic airway caliber, influences significantly spirometric measurements in normal subjects but not in those with COPD.
Carossa
S
S
Università degli Studi, Foggia Cattedra di Malattie Odontostomatologiche Università degli Studi, Genova.
Pera
P
P
De Lillo
A
A
Corsalini
M
M
Lombardo
S
S
Bucca
C
C
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity