Sugar intake, taste changes and dental health in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: An increased intake of sucrose has been reported in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Since subclinical zinc deficiency reduces taste perception for sweet, we investigated taste perception, sucrose intake and plasma zinc levels as well as dental status in CD patients.
METHODS: Carbohydrate intake and plasma zinc levels were assessed in 24 CD patients and 24 age-matched controls (Con). Taste threshold for sucrose, oral hygiene and caries prevalence were evaluated.
RESULTS: In CD a higher sucrose intake (CD 107.1 +/- 27.7 vs. Con 71.9 +/- 13.7 g/day; p < 0.001), a higher taste threshold for sweet (CD 7.31 vs. Con 2.91 g/l; p < 0.001) and lower plasma zinc levels (CD 11.5 +/- 1.5 vs. Con 13.5 +/- 2.0 micromol/l; p < 0.001) were found. API was poor (CD 85.4 +/- 23.6, Con 31.8 +/- 24.1, p < 0.001) and correlated with sucrose intake (p < 0.01). Caries prevalence was increased in patients with longer disease (>3 years) (DMFT index: >3 years 15.6 +/- 5.7 vs. <3 years 9.5 +/- 4.3; p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Dental status in CD patients is poor. Both increased sugar consumption and insufficient oral hygiene seem to cause the higher caries prevalence. Obviously, patients with CD belong to a high-risk group, and preventive measures should be taken early in the course of the disease. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel