Oral health status of hospitalized amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a single-centre observational study. (19th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakayama, Rena; Nishiyama, Akira; Matsuda, Chiharu; Nakayama, Yuki; Hakuta, Chiyoko; Shimada, Masahiko
• Is Part Of: Acta odontologica Scandinavica. Volume 76:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 294
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2018-05-19
• Subjects: Community periodontal index -- maximum mouth opening -- oral health -- salivation rate -- tracheostomy positive-pressure ventilation; Dentistry -- Periodicals; 617.6005
• DOI: 10.1080/00016357.2017.1420228
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6357

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To assess the intraoral conditions and oral function of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Material and methods: This single-centre, cross-sectional observational study included 50 ALS patients, who were treated with tracheostomy positive-pressure ventilation (TPPV) while hospitalized. The disease duration, TPPV duration, current number of teeth, number of occlusal units, number of decayed/missing/filled teeth, community periodontal index, bleeding on probing, dental calculus, maximum mouth opening, salivation rate, tongue anomalies (atrophy or hypertrophy) and tongue coating were determined for each patient. Differences in intraoral conditions according to disease duration or TPPV duration were statistically analysed. Results: The maximum mouth opening was low in the included patients, with a mean distance of 13.7 ± 7.4 mm. Furthermore, the maximum mouth opening showed a significant negative correlation with both disease duration and TPPV duration. No statistically significant differences were found between any other intraoral parameters and disease duration or TPPV duration. Conclusions: Severe dental disease is uncommon among hospitalized ALS patients who receive oral care by nurses; however, mouth opening is very restricted in these patients. Early intervention for restricted mouth opening, directed by a dentist or dental hygienist, is essential in this population.