Oral Health in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Objectives: To study the prevalence of oral manifestations in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and to evaluate the association between oral clinical findings and contributing factors of MS.

Methods: Three hundred and sixty-nine patients with MS were investigated. Oral health including oral mucosa, dental and periodontal status, resting whole salivary flow rate, Candida, Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli level in every patient was evaluated. Patients' history, complaints of xerostomia and laboratory examination results from medical chart was also recorded.

Results: Of these 369 patients, 94 (25.5%) were men and 275 (74.5%) were women. Age varied from 32 to 88 years old (mean=63.87±10.41) and 231 patients (62.6%) were ≥60 years old. Oral mucosal manifestations were found in 203 (55.0%) patients. The most prevalent finding was fissured tongue (41.5%), followed by denture stomatitis (9.2%), depapillated tongue (3.0%), oral lichenoid reaction (2.2%), traumatic ulcer (2.2%), and oral varicosity (2.2%). One hundred and eighty four (49.3%) patients presented with dental caries in at least 1 tooth and the mean score of dental caries was 1.42±2.2 while 192 (64.9%) patients had periodontitis. One hundred and fifty seven (42.5%) patients complained xerostomia and 202 (54.7%) patients had hyposalivation. Dry mucosa was depicted in 203 (55.0%) patients. About two fifth of patients had low to medium level of oral microflora. No significant association between these oral findings and age, gender, prescribed medications, general health status of MS or smoking was found.(p≥.05) However denture stomatitis and oral candidiasis were significantly associated with high level of Candida. There was also a statistically significant association between xerostomia and hyposalivation and these conditions with oral mucosal dryness. In addition, a significant association between hyposalivation and Candida level was found.(p≤.05)

Conclusions: Half of the patients with MS had been related to oral health problems that should be evaluated and treated.