Comparison of periodontal indices, DMFT, xerostomia, hyposalivation and oral health-related quality of life in Sjögren's syndrome patients versus healthy individuals: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a common systemic autoimmune disease that affects oral health, and consequently oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) due to the involvement of exocrine glands. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life and oral health indicators in patients with SS in comparison with healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the case and control groups (45 patients and 45 healthy individuals), questions about demographic data, other systemic disorders, medications, the years of infection, xerostomia, as well as inquiries about the quality of life (Oral Health Impact Profile-14 - OHIP-14) were asked. The patients were evaluated clinically, and oral health indicators, including the plaque index (PI), the gingival index (GI), the sulcus bleeding index (SBI), and the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) were assessed on the Ramfjord teeth. Unstimulated saliva samples from both groups were obtained and weighed. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, v. 24.0. Quantitative variables were compared between the case and control groups with the use of the independent t test or their nonparametric equivalent (the Mann-Whitney test). RESULTS: The comparison of the quantitative variables between the study groups showed a statistically significant difference in the OHRQoL scores (p = 0.037) and the unstimulated saliva flow rate (p = 0.002) between the case and control groups. Also, there was a statistically significant difference in the DMFT index between patients with primary and secondary SS in the case group (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The lower OHRQoL of patients with SS requires more attention and follow-up to solve periodontal and dental problems in this group of patients.

Viral contamination of acrylic resin removable denture bases in patients with COVID-19: A cross-sectional study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Salivary gland ducts are one of the primary targets of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Moreover, saliva contains minor and major salivary gland secretions and a combination of nasopharyngeal and lung secretions. The acrylic resin bases of complete or partial removable dentures have pores and provide a favorable environment for the growth of microorganisms. PURPOSE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the presence of viral contamination of acrylic resin removable denture bases in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The acrylic resin denture bases (partial and complete) of 29 patients with COVID-19 who underwent treatment in the Infectious Diseases Department of Razi Hospital in Ghaemshahr, Mazandaran, Iran, were evaluated. Samples were collected from the intaglio surface of the prostheses by direct swabbing and coding and were evaluated in a laboratory for the presence or absence of coronavirus. The relationship between hospital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denture PCR and the relationship between denture type and denture PCR were evaluated with the Fisher exact test (α=.05). RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients, age range 55 to 85 years, 18 women, 3 with partial dentures and 26 with complete dentures, were evaluated. The hospital PCR test was positive in 28 patients, while the denture PCR test was positive in 4 patients. No significant relationship was observed between the results of hospital PCR and denture PCR in patients with COVID-19 (P=.138). All 4 patients who tested positive for denture PCR had complete dentures. No significant relationship was found between denture type and denture PCR test results in patients with COVID-19 (P>999). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the microporous structure of the acrylic resin base, no statistically significant viral contamination was observed.