# Understanding Oral Diseases in Cystic Fibrosis to Develop Tailored Preventive Dental Interventions

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2021 · $795,360

## Abstract

Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting autosomal recessive disease in Caucasians. Impaired
mucociliary clearance predisposes individuals with CF to chronic respiratory infections, resulting in progressive
lung damage and premature death. We and others have shown that oral bacteria infect the lungs in individuals
with CF at high concentrations. Caries and gingivitis are associated with an increased abundance of
pathogenic and often proinflammatory intraoral bacteria that can be aspirated. Dental plaque flora can cause
pneumonia, for example in mechanically-ventilated patients. Given the broader evidence of oral-respiratory
links, it is surprising that the association between oral diseases and respiratory health in CF has never been
evaluated, even though there is a plausible microbiological mechanism. The overall hypothesis of this proposal
is that oral diseases, defined as caries and gingivitis, are potentially modifiable contributors to lung disease in
CF. In this 5-year observational U01, we will enroll 210 adolescents and young adults with CF ages 12 to 30
years at 3 sites: Seattle Children’s Hospital, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and the University of
Alabama at Birmingham. The study will involve 3 study visits over 24 months. We will obtain quantitative and
qualitative data on risk factors for oral diseases; perform a standardized assessment of caries and gingivitis;
evaluate respiratory health outcomes; and collect sputum, saliva, and plaque for microbiome analyses. The
Aims are to: (1) Describe the prevalence and incidence of oral diseases in adolescents and young
adults with CF and identify corresponding risk factors with an emphasis on how to improve key oral
health behaviors; (2) Evaluate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between oral diseases and
respiratory outcomes; and (3) Explore microbiome pathways that link oral and respiratory health. The
proposed study will be the largest and first longitudinal CF oral health study to date, and the first to evaluate
respiratory outcomes associated with oral diseases in CF. Our long-term objective is to develop behavioral
randomized clinical trials for adolescents and young adults with CF to prevent oral diseases and protect
respiratory health. We also seek to elucidate mechanisms that explain the systemic health consequences of
oral diseases. More broadly, our approach provides a framework for improving the oral health of medically
compromised populations through critical epidemiologic inquiry and evidence-based interventions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10181640
- **Project number:** 1U01DE030418-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Donald Leslie Chi
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $795,360
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-13 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10181640

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10181640, Understanding Oral Diseases in Cystic Fibrosis to Develop Tailored Preventive Dental Interventions (1U01DE030418-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10181640. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*