Relationship between clinical and salivary parameters in Down syndrome individuals

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical and salivary parameters of patients with Down syndrome. Methods: Sixty patients with Down syndrome (55% male, 45% female) aged from 01 to 48 years were examined. Clinical oral examinations were performed by a calibrated dentist, under natural light with dental mirrors and probe using WHO criteria. Stimulated saliva was collected from 18 patients and flow rate and buffering capacity were also measured. Salivary flow was calculated as ml/min and the buffering capacity was measured using a standard pH tape. In addition, 25µL of saliva was diluted using a 10-fold dilution method and then placed on Mitis-Salivarius Bacitracin agar plate (MSB), which was cultivated anaerobically for 48 hours. After incubation, the number of colonies of mutans streptococci on MSB was counted, and the colony-forming-units (CFU/mL) were calculated. The results of clinical(DMFS), microbiological (salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans) and physiological characterization (salivary flow rate, buffering capacity) were analyzed using paired T-test and Pearson's Correlation at a probability level of 0.05 to determine the relationship between all parameters evaluated. Results: Mean DMFS for patients was 9.62 (SD=11.34). DMFS index was statistically associated to age (p<0.01) and it was correlated with buffering capacity (r= -0.47; p=0.04). Nevertheless DMFS index was not associated to salivary flow rate measured (p=0.16) and CFU/mL (p=0.55). There was a statistical significant difference when DMFS was associated with gender (p<0.01). Conclusions: This study supports the evidence that the increase in age and low buffering capacity may influence caries development in patients with Down syndrome. This study was supported by FAPESP (04/12925-0), Sao Paulo, Brazil.