Evaluation of oral and dental health in patients with cystic fibrosis and comparison with control group based on Iranian cystic fibrosis Disease registry

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, sweat glands, and infertility. One of the manifestations of this disease is an alteration in the rate of tooth decay, even though different studies have reported varying results. Using Decayed, Missing, Filled Permanent Teeth (DMFT) and Primary Teeth (dmft) indices in the present study, aimed to investigate the oral health status in northwestern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Tabriz Children’s Hospital from October 2019 to October 2020. All CF patients with an age range of 4-20 years were included in the study. Exclusion criteria included patients with any systemic disease and oral health problems (except CF), causing an impaired oral health status and alteration of salivary pH. Results: 41 patients with CF (mean age: 9•63 years) and 46 healthy individuals (mean age: 8•23 years) were included in this study. There was no significant difference between CF and control children in terms of age, sex, height, and weight. While dmft (2•14) was lower in the CF group compared with the control group (5•02; P=0•002), DMFT was higher in the CF group (3•65) compared with the control group (1•34; P=0•001). Salivary pH was lower in the CF group (6•35) compared with the control group (6•73; P=0•012). Also, salivary pH had a significant inverse relationship with DMFT (R=0•060; P<0•0005).