Resumen de Facts and controversies regarding oral health in Parkinson's disease: a case-control study in Spanish patients
Ana María García de la Fuente, Irene Lafuente Ibañez de Mendoza, María José Lartitegui Sebastián, Xabier Marichalar Mendia, María Ángeles Echebarria Goicouria, José Manuel Aguirre Urizar
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the leading neurological disorders, affecting more than 6 million people worldwide. These patients present motor and non-motor symptoms, including oral pathology. The objective of this research is to determine the oral health of patients diagnosed with PD, in order to stablish a specific preventive oral health programme.
Case-control study on 104 PD and 106 control patients. The pre-designed clinical protocol included a complete oral examination on general aspects, standardised epidemiological index for caries, periodontal disease and edentulism, analysis of oral hygiene, presence of mucous/ salivary/ functional disorder, and dental treatments.
A higher number of PD patients consumed daily sweets (p<0.004) and antidepressant drugs (p<0.004). Patients with PD practised less interdental hygiene (p<0.023). The mean plaque index was higher in PD (p<0.003). Drooling (p<0.001), xerostomia (p<0.001), hyposialia (p<0.001), dysphagia (p<0.001), hypogeusia/dysgeusia (p<0.025) and chewing difficulty (p<0.006) were more common in PD.
Oral disorders are frequent in PD. A good knowledge of these alterations will allow us design a specific preventive protocol. Some oral alterations may be a sign of diagnostic alert or progression of PD.
