Diagnostic delay in autoimmune oral diseases.

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) affect about 5% of the general population, causing various systemic and/or topical clinical manifestations. The oral mucosa is often affected, sometimes as the only involved site. The misdiagnosis of oral ADs is an underreported issue. This narrative review focuses on diagnostic delay (DD) in oral ADs (oral lichen planus [OLP], oral Pemphigus Vulgaris, mucous membrane pemphigoid, oral lupus erythematosus, orofacial granulomatosis, oral erythema multiforme [EM], and Sjogren syndrome). Extensive literature research was conducted via MEDLINE, Embase and Google Scholar databases for articles reporting the time spent to achieve the correct diagnosis of oral ADs. Only 16 studies reported DD in oral ADs. Oral autoimmune vesiculobullous diseases are usually diagnosed after 8 months from the initial signs/symptoms, the Sjogren Syndrome diagnosis usually requires about 73 months. No data exist about the DD in OLP, oral lupus erythematosus, orofacial granulomatosis, and oral EM. The diagnosis of oral ADs can be difficult due to the non-specificity of their manifestations and the unawareness of dentists, physicians, and dental and medical specialists about these diseases. This can lead to a professional DD and a consequential treatment delay. The delay can be attributed to the physicians or/and the healthcare system (Professional Delay) or the patient (Patient's Delay).

The potential role of Photodynamic therapy in oral premalignant and malignant lesions: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is considered as a valid treatment option in various branches of dentistry. This systematic review aims to evaluate the usefulness of PDT for treatment of oral premalignant and malignant lesions. METHODS: The MeSH terms "Photodynamic therapy" and "PDT," in combination with other terms, have been searched by three search engines (PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library), and a systematic review has been performed. The Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study design (PICOS) has been applied as method to outline our study eligibility criteria. Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Intervention (ROBINS-I) has been performed too. RESULTS: Initial results were 1513. Definitely, 27 studies met our selection criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Topical PDT is an easy to perform technique, well-tolerated treatment and it appears to be an effective method with encouraging achievements in the treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions of the soft tissues of the oral cavity; nevertheless more studies are required to integrate the up-to-date experience of this application.

Oral Microbiota Features in Subjects with Down Syndrome and Periodontal Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder associated with early-onset periodontitis and other periodontal diseases (PDs). The present work aimed to systematically review the scientific literature reporting studies in vivo on oral microbiota features in subjects with DS and related periodontal health and to highlight any correlation and difference with subjects not affected by DS, with and without PDs. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane were searched for relevant studies in May 2021. The participants were subjects affected by Down syndrome (DS) with and without periodontal diseases; the study compared subjects with periodontal diseases but not affected by DS, and DS without periodontal diseases; the outcomes were the differences in oral microbiota/periodontopathogen bacterial composition among subjects considered; the study design was a systematic review. Study quality was assessed with risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I). Of the 954 references retrieved, 26 studies were considered. The conclusions from the qualitative assessment of the papers revealed an increasing knowledge over the last years of the microbiota associated with DS and their periodontal diseases, in comparison with healthy subjects and subjects with other kinds of mental disabilities. Few data have emerged on the mycobiome and virobiome of DS, hence, further investigations are still necessary.

Periodontitis and early mortality among adults treated with hemodialysis: a multinational propensity-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is associated with cardiovascular mortality in the general population and adults with chronic diseases. However, it is unclear whether periodontitis predicts survival in the setting of kidney failure. METHODS: ORAL-D was a propensity matched analysis in 3338 dentate adults with end-stage kidney disease treated in a hemodialysis network in Europe and South America designed to examine the association between periodontitis and all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality in people on long-term hemodialysis. Participants were matched 1:1 on their propensity score for moderate to severe periodontitis assessed using the World Health Organization Community Periodontal Index. A random-effects Cox proportional hazards model was fitted with shared frailty to account for clustering of mortality risk within countries. RESULTS: Among the 3338 dentate participants, 1355 (40.6%) had moderate to severe periodontitis at baseline. After using propensity score methods to generate a matched cohort of participants with periodontitis similar to those with none or mild periodontal disease, moderate to severe periodontitis was associated with a lower risk of all-cause (9.1 versus 13.0 per 100 person years, hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.90) and cardiovascular (4.3 versus 6.9 per 100 person years, hazard ratio 0.67, 0.51 to 0.88) mortality. These associations were not changed substantially when participants were limited to those with 12 or more natural teeth and when accounting for competing causes of cardiovascular death. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the general population, periodontitis does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of early death in adults treated with hemodialysis.

Salivary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the mandible.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a malignancy rarely affecting the salivary glands, with fewer than 30 cases described in the medical literature. MAC is mostly observed in the minor salivary glands of the palate, and to date, no case of salivary MAC has been reported in the mandible. Identifying a salivary MAC may be both clinically and histopathologically challenging, as differential diagnosis must consider not only other salivary malignancies expressing a mucinous component but also metastases from MACs of the gastrointestinal tract, breast, and sweat glands that strongly resemble a salivary MAC on histopathology. We describe an 80-year-old man with a gingival overgrowth of the left mandible for the past 9 months, who was referred to our institution with an initial diagnosis of a periodontal reaction. On clinical examination, the mass mimicked a hyperplastic lesion; but after biopsy, the histopathologic pattern suggested a diagnosis of MAC. Herein, we present how comprehensive physical examination of the patient, immunohistochemistry study of the specimen, and radiological features helped in establishing the diagnosis of intraosseous salivary MAC, ruling out metastatic disease or other salivary neoplasms.

Patterns of oral disease in adults with chronic kidney disease treated with hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Oral disease is a potentially treatable determinant of mortality and quality of life. No comprehensive multinational study to quantify oral disease burden and to identify candidate preventative strategies has been performed in the dialysis setting. METHODS: The ORAL disease in hemoDialysis (ORALD) study was a prospective study in adults treated with hemodialysis in Europe (France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain) and Argentina. Oral disease was assessed using standardized WHO methods. Participants self-reported oral health practices and symptoms. Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with oral diseases were determined and assessed within nation states. RESULTS: Of 4726 eligible adults, 4205 (88.9%) participated. Overall, 20.6% were edentulous [95% confidence interval (CI), 19.4-21.8]. Participants had on average 22 (95% CI 21.7-22.2) decayed, missing or filled teeth, while moderate to severe periodontitis affected 40.6% (95% CI 38.9-42.3). Oral disease patterns varied markedly across countries, independent of participant demographics, comorbidity and health practices. Participants in Spain, Poland, Italy and Hungary had the highest mean adjusted odds of edentulousness (2.31, 1.90, 1.90 and 1.54, respectively), while those in Poland, Hungary, Spain and Argentina had the highest odds of ≥14 decayed, missing or filled teeth (23.2, 12.5, 8.14 and 5.23, respectively). Compared with Argentina, adjusted odds ratios for periodontitis were 58.8, 58.3, 27.7, 12.1 and 6.30 for Portugal, Italy, Hungary, France and Poland, respectively. National levels of tobacco consumption, diabetes and child poverty were associated with edentulousness within countries. CONCLUSIONS: Oral disease in adults on hemodialysis is very common, frequently severe and highly variable among countries, with much of the variability unexplained by participant characteristics or healthcare. Given the national variation and high burden of disease, strategies to improve oral health in hemodialysis patients will require implementation at a country level rather than at the level of individuals.

Oral manifestations in chronic uremia patients.

The incidence of chronic renal failure (CRF) is approximately 200 cases per million people in different Western countries. Recent data indicate that the incidences of these pathologies are increasing. Ninety percent of patients with CRF report oral signs and symptoms that affect both the bone and soft tissues. A broad range of lesions may be observed in chronic uratemia patients, including the following: gingival hyperplasia, enamel hypoplasia, petechiae, gingival bleeding, and others lesions. These patients require various types of treatment ranging from dietary and lifestyle changes to dialysis and kidney transplantation. CRF often leads to multiple oral manifestations that are difficult for dentists to manage. The present study examined the characteristics of this disease, the existing therapeutic options and the relevant considerations for dental professionals.

Dental Health and Mortality in People With End-Stage Kidney Disease Treated With Hemodialysis: A Multinational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Dental disease is more extensive in adults with chronic kidney disease, but whether dental health and behaviors are associated with survival in the setting of hemodialysis is unknown. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective multinational cohort. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 4,205 adults treated with long-term hemodialysis, 2010 to 2012 (Oral Diseases in Hemodialysis [ORAL-D] Study). PREDICTORS: Dental health as assessed by a standardized dental examination using World Health Organization guidelines and personal oral care, including edentulousness; decayed, missing, and filled teeth index; teeth brushing and flossing; and dental health consultation. OUTCOMES: All-cause and cardiovascular mortality at 12 months after dental assessment. MEASUREMENTS: Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models fitted with shared frailty to account for clustering of mortality risk within countries. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 22.1 months, 942 deaths occurred, including 477 cardiovascular deaths. Edentulousness (adjusted HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10-1.51) and decayed, missing, or filled teeth score ≥ 14 (adjusted HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.33-2.17) were associated with early all-cause mortality, while dental flossing, using mouthwash, brushing teeth daily, spending at least 2 minutes on oral hygiene daily, changing a toothbrush at least every 3 months, and visiting a dentist within the past 6 months (adjusted HRs of 0.52 [95% CI, 0.32-0.85], 0.79 [95% CI, 0.64-0.97], 0.76 [95% CI, 0.58-0.99], 0.84 [95% CI, 0.71-0.99], 0.79 [95% CI, 0.65-0.95], and 0.79 [95% CI, 0.65-0.96], respectively) were associated with better survival. Results for cardiovascular mortality were similar. LIMITATIONS: Convenience sample of clinics. CONCLUSIONS: In adults treated with hemodialysis, poorer dental health was associated with early death, whereas preventive dental health practices were associated with longer survival.

Non-invasive in vivo visualization of enamel defects by reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM).

The enamel defects (EDs) may present with a variety of clinical manifestations with increasing severity from the sole appearance of pale discoloration to remarkable structural alterations. EDs are responsible for higher caries receptivity. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) allows to image in vivo at microscopic resolution of the dental surface, thus avoiding the tooth extraction and the sample preparation because of its ability to optically scan living tissues along their depth. Aim of this study is the in vivo assessment at microscopic resolution of dental surfaces affected by EDs without resorting to invasive methods such as teeth extractions, to define histological findings occurring in chromatic and/or structural EDs. For the purpose, 15 children, referring at the Dental Clinic of the Second University of Naples, affected by several degrees of EDs, were enrolled and underwent in vivo RCM imaging to microscopically define the ED confocal features using a commercially available hand-held reflectance confocal microscope with neither injuries nor discomfort. Totally, 29 teeth were imaged. Results demonstrated images good in quality and the capability to detect EDs such as unevenness, grooves, and lack of mineralization according to their clinical degree of disarray. The present in vivo microscopic study on EDs allowed to highlight structural changes in dental enamel at microscopic resolution in real-time and in a non-invasive way, with no need for extraction or processing the samples. Further experiments could define the responsiveness to remineralizing procedures as therapeutic treatments.

Prevalence and severity of oral disease in adults with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Oral disease may be increased in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and, due to associations with inflammation and malnutrition, represents a potential modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. We summarized the prevalence of oral disease in adults with CKD and explored any association between oral disease and mortality. METHODS: We used systematic review of observational studies evaluating oral health in adults with CKD identified in MEDLINE (through September 2012) without language restriction. We summarized prevalence and associations with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality using random-effects meta-analysis. We explored for sources of heterogeneity between studies using meta-regression. RESULTS: Eighty-eight studies in 125 populations comprising 11 340 adults were eligible. Edentulism affected one in five adults with CKD Stage 5D (dialysis) {20.6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 16.4-25.6]}. Periodontitis was more common in CKD Stage 5D [56.8% (CI, 39.3-72.8)] than less severe CKD [31.6% (CI, 19.0-47.6)], although data linking periodontitis with premature death were scant. One-quarter of patients with CKD Stage 5D reported never brushing their teeth [25.6% (CI, 10.2-51.1)] and a minority used dental floss [11.4% (CI, 6.2-19.8)]; oral pain was reported by one-sixth [18.7% (CI, 8.8-35.4)], while half of patients experienced a dry mouth [48.4% (CI, 37.5-59.5)]. Data for kidney transplant recipients and CKD Stages 1-5 were limited. CONCLUSIONS: Oral disease is common in adults with CKD, potentially reflects low use of preventative dental services, and may be an important determinant of health in this clinical setting.

Proposal of a modified technique of Nikolsky's sign in oral autoimmune vesiculobullous diseases.

Nikolsky's sign, originally described for skin lesions, presents challenges when applied to the oral mucosa. To address this, a modified Nikolsky's sign has been proposed specifically for the oral mucosa. In this variant, a gentle breath of air from the air syringe embedded in the dental unit is used to inflate a pre-existing collapsed blister (non-induced technique). Alternatively, in the induced technique, a healthy peri-lesion mucosal site is gently scratched with a blunt dental tool, and after a few minutes, air is blown on the same area to inflate any newly formed blister. The sign is considered positive if a blister is raised from the blown surface. The described modified Nikolsky's sign improves the visualization of oral vesicles and blisters in a cost-effective, easy, and minimally invasive manner. Its elicitation can aid in referring patients to specialized tertiary care units.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection: Pathogenesis, Oral Manifestations, and the Role of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy: A Narrative Review.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health concern with significant systemic implications, including a range of oral manifestations. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the oral and dental pathologies related to HCV, the etiopathogenetic mechanisms linking such conditions to HCV and the impact of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. Common oral manifestations of HCV include oral lichen planus (OLP), periodontal disease, and xerostomia. The pathogenesis of these conditions involves both direct viral effects on oral tissues and indirect effects related to the immune response to HCV. Our literature analysis, using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, suggests that both the HCV infection and the immune response to HCV contribute to the increased prevalence of these oral diseases. The introduction of DAA therapy represents a significant advancement in HCV treatment, but its effects on oral manifestations, particularly OLP, are still under evaluation. Although a possible mechanism linking HCV to OSCC is yet to be determined, existing evidence encourages further investigation in this sense. Our findings highlight the need for established protocols for managing the oral health of patients with HCV, aiming to improve outcomes and quality of life.

Temporomandibular disorders in burning mouth syndrome patients: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a chronic disease characterized by absence of any lesions and burning of the oral mucosa associated to a sensation of dry mouth and/or taste alterations. The purpose of our study is to estimate signs and symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) in patients with BMS and to investigate for the existence of an association between BMS and TMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four BMS patients were enrolled; BMS subtype was established according to the classification of Lamey. After a gnathological evaluation, according to the protocol of the European Academy of Craniomandibular Disorders, patients were classified by RDC/TMD criteria. The data were compared and analyzed using a chi-square test to describe the existence of an association between BMS and TMD. RESULTS: 65.9% the BMS patients showed disorders classified as primary signs and symptoms of TMD according to RDC / TMD criteria, and 72.7% showed parafunctional habits. The chi-square test revealed a statistically significant association (p = 0.035) between BMS and TMD. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that there is a possible relationship not yet well understood between BMS and TMD, may be for neurophatic alterations assumed for BMS that could be also engaged in TMD pathogenesis.

Oral disease in adults treated with hemodialysis: prevalence, predictors, and association with mortality and adverse cardiovascular events: the rationale and design of the ORAL Diseases in hemodialysis (ORAL-D) study, a prospective, multinational, longitudinal, observational, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: People with end-stage kidney disease treated with dialysis experience high rates of premature death that are at least 30-fold that of the general population, and have markedly impaired quality of life. Despite this, interventions that lower risk factors for mortality (including antiplatelet agents, epoetins, lipid lowering, vitamin D compounds, or dialysis dose) have not been shown to improve clinical outcomes for this population. Although mortality outcomes may be improving overall, additional modifiable determinants of health in people treated with dialysis need to be identified and evaluated. Oral disease is highly prevalent in the general population and represents a potential and preventable cause of poor health in dialysis patients. Oral disease may be increased in patients treated with dialysis due to their lower uptake of public dental services, as well as increased malnutrition and inflammation, although available exploratory data are limited by small sample sizes and few studies evaluating links between oral health and clinical outcomes for this group, including mortality and cardiovascular disease. Recent data suggest periodontitis may be associated with mortality in dialysis patients and well-designed, larger studies are now required. METHODS/DESIGN: The ORAL Diseases in hemodialysis (ORAL-D) study is a multinational, prospective (minimum follow-up 12 months) study. Participants comprise consecutive adults treated with long-term in-center hemodialysis. Between July 2010 and February 2012, we recruited 4500 dialysis patients from randomly selected outpatient dialysis clinics in Europe within a collaborative network of dialysis clinics administered by a dialysis provider, Diaverum, in Europe (France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain) and South America (Argentina). At baseline, dental surgeons with training in periodontology systematically assessed the prevalence and characteristics of oral disease (dental, periodontal, mucosal, and salivary) in all participants. Oral hygiene habits and thirst were evaluated using self-administered questionnaires. Data for hospitalizations and mortality (total and cause-specific) according to baseline oral health status will be collected once a year until 2022. DISCUSSION: This large study will estimate the prevalence, characteristics and correlations of oral disease and clinical outcomes (mortality and hospitalization) in adults treated with dialysis. We will further evaluate any association between periodontitis and risk of premature death in dialysis patients that has been suggested by existing research. The results from this study should provide powerful new data to guide strategies for future interventional studies for preventative and curative oral disease strategies in adults who have end-stage kidney disease.

Six months of high-dose xylitol in high-risk caries subjects--a 2-year randomised, clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The hypothesis was that the daily use of a high dose of a xylitol chewing gum for 6 months would reduce the increment of decayed permanent first molar surfaces (ΔD6S) in high-risk schoolchildren after 2 years. METHODS: In this randomised, clinical trial, 204 schoolchildren with a high caries risk were assigned to two experimental groups, xylitol and non-xylitol. Caries status, salivary mutans streptococci, and lactobacilli were re-evaluated 2 years later in 74 xylitol-treated and 83 non-xylitol-treated schoolchildren. Differences in mean ∆D6S between groups registered at baseline and at follow-up were evaluated using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Outcome was the development of detectable carious lesions initial (D1-D2) and manifest (D3) in the permanent first molars. In the xylitol group, the difference in proportion of children with decayed first permanent molars at baseline and follow-up was 1.43% for manifest lesion and 2.86% for initial lesions; while in the non-xylitol group was 10.26% (p < 0.01) and 16.66% (p < 0.01), respectively. A statistically significant difference regarding means was also observed in the non-xylitol group: the ∆D6S for manifest lesion was 0.18 (p = 0.03) and 0.67 (p = 0.02) for initial lesion. CONCLUSION: The use of a chewing gum containing a high dose of xylitol for a period of 6 months has been shown to produce a long-term effect on caries development in high caries-risk children. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A school-based preventive programme based on 6 months' administration of a high dose of xylitol via chewing gum proved to be efficacious in controlling caries increment in high-risk children.

Guided Bone Regeneration with Occlusive Titanium Barrier: A Case Report and Clinical Considerations.

The need to obtain adequate bone volumes for prosthetic rehabilitation supported by implants, using different techniques and materials, represents an urgent need in modern dentistry. We report a case regarding the management of implant-prosthetic rehabilitation of the first and second upper right molars, in which no less than 4 mm of crestal bone remained to insert two implants. Regeneration of the residual bone was previously performed using a customized titanium barrier and a filler of a blood clot with tricalcium beta phosphate. The bone gain (3 mm) was evaluated by comparing CBCT images, while the implant stability (mean 70) was assessed with the ISQ measurement. A regenerated bone sample was taken for histological analysis. Guided bone regeneration obtained with a titanium barrier and blood clot allowed for the insertion of stable implants in a mature bone without heterologous material.

Blood Clotting Dissolution in the Presence of a Magnetic Field and Preliminary Study with MG63 Osteoblast-like Cells-Further Developments for Guided Bone Regeneration?

BACKGROUND: The influence of a magnetic field on the activation of bone cells and remodelling of alveolar bone is known to incite bone regeneration. Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) aims to develop biomimetic scaffolds to allow for the functioning of the barrier and the precise succession of wound healing steps, including haemostasis. The effect of a magnetic field on blood clot dissolution has not been studied yet. METHODS: We conducted a methodological study on the clot stability in the presence of a static magnetic field (SMF). Preformed whole blood (WB) clots were treated with either a broad proteolytic enzyme (trypsin) or a specific fibrinolytic agent, i.e., tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). MG63 osteoblast-like cells were added to preformed WB clots to assess cell proliferation. RESULTS: After having experienced a number of clotting and dissolution protocols, we obtained clot stability exerted by SMF when tissue factor (for clotting) and t-PA + plasminogen (for fibrinolysis) were used. WB clots allowed osteoblast-like cells to survive and proliferate, however no obvious effects of the magnetic field were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Paramagnetic properties of erythrocytes may have influenced the reduction in clot dissolution. Future studies are warranted to fully exploit the combination of magnetic forces, WB clot and cells in GBR applied to orthodontics and prosthodontics.

Oral frailty indicators to target major adverse health-related outcomes in older age: a systematic review.

A well-preserved oral function is key to accomplishing essential daily tasks. However, in geriatric medicine and gerodontology, as age-related physiological decline disrupts several biological systems pathways, achieving this objective may pose a challenge. We aimed to make a systematic review of the existing literature on the relationships between poor oral health indicators contributing to the oral frailty phenotype, defined as an age-related gradual loss of oral function together with a decline in cognitive and physical functions, and a cluster of major adverse health-related outcomes in older age, including mortality, physical frailty, functional disability, quality of life, hospitalization, and falls. Six different electronic databases were consulted by two independent researchers, who found 68 eligible studies published from database inception to September 10, 2022. The risk of bias was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Toolkits for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. The study is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021241075). Eleven different indicators of oral health were found to be related to adverse outcomes, which we grouped into four different categories: oral health status deterioration; decline in oral motor skills; chewing, swallowing, and saliva disorders; and oral pain. Oral health status deterioration, mostly number of teeth, was most frequently associated with all six adverse health-related outcomes, followed by chewing, swallowing, and saliva disorders associated with mortality, physical frailty, functional disability, hospitalization, and falls, then decline in oral motor skills associated with mortality, physical frailty, functional disability, hospitalization, and quality of life, and finally oral pain was associated only with physical frailty. The present findings could help to assess the contribution of each oral health indicator to the development of major adverse health-related outcomes in older age. These have important implications for prevention, given the potential reversibility of all these factors.

Exploring the Association of Burning Mouth Syndrome with Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is an idiopathic condition mainly affecting middle-aged and older individuals with hormonal disturbances or psychiatric disorders and is characterized by chronic pain. The etiopathogenesis of this multifactorial syndrome is largely unknown. The objective of the present systematic review was therefore to evaluate the relationship of BMS with depressive and anxiety disorders in middle-aged and older individuals. METHODS: We selected studies evaluating BMS and depressive and anxiety disorders assessed with validated tools, published from their inception up to April 2023, using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Ovid, and Google Scholar databases and adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines/PRISMA 2020 27-item checklist. This study is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023409595). The National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Toolkits for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies were used to examine the risk of bias. RESULTS: Two independent investigators rated 4322 records against the primary endpoint and found 7 records meeting the eligibility requirements. Anxiety disorders were found to be the most common psychiatric disorders related to BMS (63.7%), followed by depressive disorders (36.3%). We found a moderate association of BMS with anxiety disorders, with multiple studies included (n = 7). Moreover, we found a low association of BMS with depressive disorders (included studies, n = 4). The role of pain appeared to be controversial in explaining these associations. CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged and older subjects, anxiety and depressive disorders may be potentially related to the development of BMS. Furthermore, also in these age groups, females showed higher risk of developing BMS than males, even when taking into account multimorbidity such as sleep disorders, personality traits, and biopsychosocial changes as suggested by study-specific findings.

Implant rehabilitation in patients with oral lichen planus: an overview.

OBJECTIVES: Implant rehabilitation in oral lichen planus (OLP) is a major challenge for clinicians and patients. There is limited scientific evidence, primarily case reports and small case series. We conducted a literature review of data on the effectiveness and safety of implant rehabilitation in OLP patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases for articles on implant placement in OLP patients (searches from 1980 to 2011). RESULTS: Eight studies (41 OLP patients rehabilitated with 135 implants) met the inclusion criteria. Survival rate of implants was 94.8% over a mean follow-up of 56.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: There is very limited evidence on the safety and benefits of implant placement in OLP patients. Implant loss appears not to be directly related to OLP, but linked to factors such as parafunctions, poor bone quality and marginal mandibular resection. The benefits and harms of using implants in people with OLP require thorough evaluation in properly designed randomised, controlled studies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: OLP is not an absolute contraindication for implant insertion and there is no increased risk of failure. Implants should be positioned only if mucosal signs and symptoms are in the remission phase. A careful oral hygiene and frequent follow-up are the main recommendations in OLP patients rehabilitated with implants.