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Multiple sclerosis: oral health, behaviours and limitations of daily oral hygiene — a questionnaire study
, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 6, 2
Affiliations- Medical University of Silesia, Faculty of Public Health, Bytom, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
- Department of Neurology in Zabrze, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine in Katowice
- Institute for Innovative Medicine, Białystok
- Department of Chemistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice
- Dental Centre, Katowice
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Abstract
Clinical rationale for the study. Neurological deficits and progressing disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may hamper daily oral hygiene, but their relations with oral problems have not yet been clearly determined.
Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to identify the most significant dental problems and limitations of daily oral hygiene in Polish patients with MS.
Material and methods. 199 patients with diagnosed MS (median age 37 years) treated in the neurological outpatient clinic were interviewed using a paper-based questionnaire. They provided answers on oral health, behaviours and the limitations of their daily oral hygiene. Clinical information regarding symptoms, MS phenotype, relapses, medication and degrees of disability was based on medical records.
Results. The most frequent symptoms were dry mouth (43.2%) and bleeding from gums (28.1%). Dry mouth was more frequent in patients with secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) than relapsing-remitting MS (65.4% vs 41.3%, p = 0.023). Patients with bleeding from gums had had MS for a longer duration (median 6 vs 4 years, p = 0.002). Difficulties in daily oral hygiene were more frequent in patients with SPMS (24.0% vs 8.1%; p = 0.016). Greater proportions of patients with muscle weakness of limbs, imbalance or pain brushed their teeth irregularly. Frequent (i.e. at least every six months) visits to the dentist’s surgery were uncommon in patients with SPMS (12.0% vs 39.7%, p = 0.010).
Conclusions and clinical implications. Dry mouth and bleeding from gums are more frequent in patients with longer lasting and more advanced types of MS. Daily oral hygiene and oral health self-control is limited in patients with MS, mainly due to motor deficits, balance problems and pain, and this becomes worse with disease duration. To minimise the burden of the disease, patients with MS require better education and improvement in their awareness regarding proper oral health control, such as the use of electric toothbrushes. In addition, patients with chronic and progressive disability from multiple sclerosis may benefit from better organised access to dental care.
Abstract
Clinical rationale for the study. Neurological deficits and progressing disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may hamper daily oral hygiene, but their relations with oral problems have not yet been clearly determined.
Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to identify the most significant dental problems and limitations of daily oral hygiene in Polish patients with MS.
Material and methods. 199 patients with diagnosed MS (median age 37 years) treated in the neurological outpatient clinic were interviewed using a paper-based questionnaire. They provided answers on oral health, behaviours and the limitations of their daily oral hygiene. Clinical information regarding symptoms, MS phenotype, relapses, medication and degrees of disability was based on medical records.
Results. The most frequent symptoms were dry mouth (43.2%) and bleeding from gums (28.1%). Dry mouth was more frequent in patients with secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) than relapsing-remitting MS (65.4% vs 41.3%, p = 0.023). Patients with bleeding from gums had had MS for a longer duration (median 6 vs 4 years, p = 0.002). Difficulties in daily oral hygiene were more frequent in patients with SPMS (24.0% vs 8.1%; p = 0.016). Greater proportions of patients with muscle weakness of limbs, imbalance or pain brushed their teeth irregularly. Frequent (i.e. at least every six months) visits to the dentist’s surgery were uncommon in patients with SPMS (12.0% vs 39.7%, p = 0.010).
Conclusions and clinical implications. Dry mouth and bleeding from gums are more frequent in patients with longer lasting and more advanced types of MS. Daily oral hygiene and oral health self-control is limited in patients with MS, mainly due to motor deficits, balance problems and pain, and this becomes worse with disease duration. To minimise the burden of the disease, patients with MS require better education and improvement in their awareness regarding proper oral health control, such as the use of electric toothbrushes. In addition, patients with chronic and progressive disability from multiple sclerosis may benefit from better organised access to dental care.
Keywords
multiple sclerosis, oral health, oral hygiene, questionnaire
About this articleTitle
Multiple sclerosis: oral health, behaviours and limitations of daily oral hygiene — a questionnaire study
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Article type
Research Paper
Pages
271-276
Published online
2019-08-22
Page views
1972
Article views/downloads
1773
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2019;53(4):271-276.
Keywords
multiple sclerosis
oral health
oral hygiene
questionnaire
Authors
Beata Łabuz-Roszak
Ewa Niewiadomska
Anna Starostka-Tatar
Katarzyna Kubicka-Bączyk
Ewa Krzystanek
Michał Arkuszewski
Krystyna Tyrpień-Golder
Barbara Rybus-Kalinowska
Bogna Pierzchała
Krystyna Pierzchała
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