Prevalence of oral pathology in asthmatic children: a cross-sectional study

Objectives: Asthma and dental caries are the most prevalent chronic diseases of childhood. Several authors have suggested that asthmatic children have higher-risk of oral diseases, nevertheless a lack of consensus is found. The aim of this study was evaluating whether asthmatic children have greater risk of oral diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional study, carried out in the Coimbraxs Paediatric Hospital (ethical committee endorsement) involving 107 asthmatic patients, aged 5-12, examined according WHO criteria (dental caries, periodontal condition, saliva-stimulated flow rates(SSFR), buffer-capacity, mutans-Streptococci(MS) and Lactobacilli counts. Social, behavioural and dietary factors were also evaluated. Results: Caries prevalence (deciduous/permanent dentition) was 57, 6%/36,3%, respectively. K-statistics for agreement intra-observer on caries diagnosis was 0,85. At 6-years-old: dmft=2,33(sd:3,94), DMFT=0,50(sd:1,41). At 12-years-old: dmft=1,63(sd:2,39), DMFT=2,00(sd:2,77). Calculus and gingival inflammation (59,8%) and enamel hypomineralization (26,2%). Decreased whole SSFR and low salivary buffer-capacity were recorded in 21,0% and 19,0%, respectively and a considerable part reflected Lactobacilli/MS salivary counts >105 CFU/ml. The results were statistically analyzed (SPSS®14.0, T-test and χ2, p<0.05). No clinical founds of dental erosion or oral candidiasis. Significant statistical association was found between buffer-capacity and the whole SSFR, salivary buffer-capacity and Lactobacilli/MS counts, those counts and dmft/DMFT scores, motherxs educational level and dmft/DMFT scores, systemic fluoride supplements and DMF-index. No significant statistical association between medication and Lactobacilli/MS counts, the whole SSFR and asthma preventive therapy or dmf/DMF-indexes, the mean age of taking asthma medication or liquid oral medication containing sugar and dmft/DMFT levels, as well as the oral hygiene habits. Conclusion: While this study only partial support the hypothesis that asthmatic children have a greater oral diseases experience, the issue will remain open until comprehensive longitudinal studies are performed; however, a preventive approach based in singular risk factors should be attempt.