Uutela Pauliina1, Passweg Jakob2, Tim Joda3, Roland Weiger4, Mauramo Matti5,6, Waltimo Tuomas7. 1. Department of Oral Health & Medicine, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel, University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 3, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland. pauliina.uutela@unibas.ch. 2. Department of Hematology, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. 3. Department of Reconstructive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, UZB University Center for Dental Medicine, Basel, Switzerland. 4. Department of Periodontology, Endodontology and Cariology, UZB University Center for Dental Medicine, Basel, Switzerland. 5. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. 6. Department of Pathology, Haartman Institute and HUSLab, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. 7. Department of Oral Health & Medicine, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel, University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 3, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine saliva flow rates and prevalence of dental and periodontal diseases of patients with newly diagnosed severe haematological diseases and compare these findings with age-matched controls of normal population. METHODS: A total of 149 patients diagnosed with haematological diseases aimed to be treated with haematological stem cell transplantation between 2008 and 2018 and 154 controls were included in the study. A dental examination was performed for patients within a maximum of 6 months after diagnosis. Differences were compared in terms of the stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR); decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index; number of teeth; caries prevalence; presence of periodontitis and acute infections. RESULTS: The mean SSFR of the patient group was significantly lower (1.1 ml/min ± 0.7 ml/min) than the mean SSFR of the controls (1.3 ml/min ± 0.5 ml/min; p = 0.004). The number of caries lesions was significantly higher in the patient group (mean ± SD, 1.1 ± 1.9) than in the control group (mean ± SD, 0.4 ± 1.2; p < 0.001). There were fewer teeth and a higher DMFT index in the patient group compared to the control group, but the differences were not significant. Acute symptomatic infections were observed in eight (5.4%) patients and in none of the controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral examinations in patients with newly diagnosed severe haematological disease demonstrated a higher prevalence of caries, acute infections and lower mean SSFR compared with the controls. These findings support the recommendations for early dental examination at the time of diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine saliva flow rates and prevalence of dental and periodontal diseases of patients with newly diagnosed severe haematological diseases and compare these findings with age-matched controls of normal population. METHODS: A total of 149 patients diagnosed with haematological diseases aimed to be treated with haematological stem cell transplantation between 2008 and 2018 and 154 controls were included in the study. A dental examination was performed for patients within a maximum of 6 months after diagnosis. Differences were compared in terms of the stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR); decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index; number of teeth; caries prevalence; presence of periodontitis and acute infections. RESULTS: The mean SSFR of the patient group was significantly lower (1.1 ml/min ± 0.7 ml/min) than the mean SSFR of the controls (1.3 ml/min ± 0.5 ml/min; p = 0.004). The number of caries lesions was significantly higher in the patient group (mean ± SD, 1.1 ± 1.9) than in the control group (mean ± SD, 0.4 ± 1.2; p < 0.001). There were fewer teeth and a higher DMFT index in the patient group compared to the control group, but the differences were not significant. Acute symptomatic infections were observed in eight (5.4%) patients and in none of the controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral examinations in patients with newly diagnosed severe haematological disease demonstrated a higher prevalence of caries, acute infections and lower mean SSFR compared with the controls. These findings support the recommendations for early dental examination at the time of diagnosis.