The prevalence of and factors influencing statistical testing of baseline characteristics in randomized controlled trials published in high-impact orthodontic journals.

INTRODUCTION: When proper randomization has been undertaken, statistical testing of baseline characteristics between participants in trial arms in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is not required. This investigation aimed to assess the prevalence of statistical testing of baseline differences in orthodontic RCTs. Factors influencing the undertaking of this analysis were explored. METHODS: Orthodontic RCTs published between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2021 in 5 orthodontic journals were identified. To determine if statistical testing of baseline differences had been undertaken, each article was reviewed in detail to identify the reporting of P values and the term "significant difference" in the table of characteristics, the table legends, and the results section of each included RCT. Trial characteristics at the RCT level were extracted. Frequency distributions were calculated for the included trial characteristics. Significant predictors from the univariate analysis were used to construct a multivariable Bayesian logistic regression model. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two RCTs were analyzed. Significance testing of baseline characteristics was undertaken in 50% (66/132) of RCTs. At a journal level, significance testing at baseline was infrequently undertaken in RCTs published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJODO). Compared with 2017, RCTs published in 2018 (odds ratio [OR], 5.57; 95% credible interval [CrI], 1.33-25.69), 2019 (OR, 17.82; 95% CrI, 4.41-82.11), 2020 (OR, 6.48; 95% CrI, 1.72-27.12), and 2021 (OR, 3.24, 95% CrI, 0.81-14.01) had higher odds of significance testing at baseline. RCTs published in the European Journal of Orthodontics (OR, 5.31; 95% CrI, 1.79-17.04), Progress in Orthodontics (OR, 5.00; 95% CrI, 0.97-28.43), Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research (OR, 6.49; 95% CrI, 1.04-46.10), and Angle Orthodontist (OR, 12.30; 95% CrI, 3.27-51.44) had higher odds of significant testing at baseline testing compared with AJODO. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical testing of baseline differences is common in orthodontic RCTs. Trials published in AJODO had the lowest incidence of statistical testing of baseline differences. RCTs published between 2018-2021 had higher odds of significance testing at baseline than in 2017. Per the consolidated standards of reporting trials guidelines, this practice should be discouraged as it can be misleading and unnecessary.

Inborn errors of metabolism and their impact in paediatric dentistry.

The management of paediatric patients with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) presents an unparalleled challenge for paediatric dentists owing to the multiplex of interrelated dental manifestations and metabolic management necessitating modifications to dental care. Inborn errors of metabolism describe a largely heterogenous group of genetic disorders namely attributable to a single gene defect essential for a specific metabolic pathway. Approximately 400 disorders have been described with an overall incidence of 1 in 5000 live births worldwide. Clinical presentation is classically inconspicuous and insidious in the neonatal period with pathophysiology attributable to accumulation of toxic by-products which interfere with normal function, or insufficient synthesis of essential compounds. This paper aims to discuss the primary oral and maxillofacial manifestations across the scope of inborn errors of metabolism, whilst also considering how metabolic treatment has the propensity to complicate dental management.

Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome: A case report.

Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome (WDSTS) is an exceptionally rare autosomal dominant syndrome with considerable phenotypical variation. Clinical features include dysmorphic facial and skeletal features, growth deficiency, developmental delay, hypertrichosis cubiti and various dental features. We present a 7-year-old female with premature exfoliation of primary teeth and premature eruption of permanent teeth.

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS): Review of the literature and case series of five pediatric dental patients.

Patients with MPS present with a plethora of dental manifestations, accompanying behavioral difficulties and medical comorbidities which often dictate the need for treatment in specialist centers. Prevention is therefore mandatory in this high-risk group.

Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD): Review of the Literature and Case Reports of Two Siblings with Dental Caries and Trauma.

Multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD) (MIM # 272200) is an extraordinarily rare inborn error of metabolism (IEM). The phenotypic spectrum is largely heterogeneous and attributed to the combined effects of deficiencies in the nine sulfatases currently known to be related to human diseases. Systemic sequelae of MSD are vast and multisystemic, primarily encompassing developmental delay and neurological, cardiopulmonary, dermatological, gastroenterological, and skeletal manifestations. The dental phenotype is scarcely described in the literature due to a paucity of cases. Dental treatment under local and general anaesthesia mandates an integrated multidisciplinary approach to safeguard systemic health and optimise outcomes. This paper presents two siblings with multiple sulfatase deficiency who presented to the Paediatric Dental Department at Great Ormond Street Hospital, requiring comprehensive care under general anaesthesia for dental caries and trauma.

Impact of dietary interventions in inborn errors of metabolism in paediatric dentistry: Review of the literature and case series.

Dietary modifications in certain IEMs are highly cariogenic, subsequently posing a significant risk to dental health. Multidisciplinary input is imperative to ensure metabolic dietary needs are met, whilst complementing dental preventive regimes.

Hypophosphataemic Rickets Secondary to Raine Syndrome: A Review of the Literature and Case Reports of Three Paediatric Patients' Dental Management.

Raine Syndrome (RS) also referred to as lethal osteosclerotic bone dysplasia describes an exceptionally rare autosomal recessive disorder with an estimated prevalence of <1 in 1,000,000. Endocrinological manifestations such as hypophosphataemic rickets depict a recent finding within the phenotypic spectrum of nonlethal RS. The dental sequelae of hypophosphataemic rickets are significant. Spontaneous recurrent abscesses on noncarious teeth result in significant odontogenic pain and multiple dental interventions. The dental presentations of nonlethal RS are less widely described within the literature. Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI), however, was recently postulated as a key characteristic. This article presents the dental manifestations and extensive restorative and oral surgical intervention of three siblings with hypophosphataemic rickets secondary to Raine Syndrome treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, a tertiary referral hospital.