Oral health in Thai patients with metabolic syndrome

AimTo study the prevalence of oral manifestations, xerostomia, hyposalivation and level of oral microflora in a group of Thai patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and to determine if there is any association between MS and these oral health components.MethodsData including patients’ histories, general health, dental and periodontal status, oral mucosal manifestations, xerostomia, hyposalivation and oral microflora in 369 patients with MS were collected and statistically analyzed.ResultsNinety-four subjects (25.5%) were men and 275 (74.5%) were women, with age range from 32 to 88 years (mean = 63.9 ± 10.4). Of these, 231 patients (62.6%) were older than 60 years old. Dental caries in at least 1 tooth and periodontitis were found in 184 (49.9%) and 192 (52.0%) patients, respectively. Oral mucosal manifestations were found in 203 patients (55.0%). The most prevalent manifestation was fissured tongue (41.5%), followed by denture stomatitis (9.2%) and depapillated tongue (3.0%). Dry mucosa was depicted in 203 patients (55.0%). Xerostomia was revealed in 157 patients (42.5%) while hyposalivation was detected in 202 patients (54.7%). Twenty four percent of patients had high Candida level. Significant association was found between Candida level and hyposalivation and also hyposalivation, xerostomia and dry mucosa.ConclusionsApproximately half of the patients with metabolic syndrome presented with dental caries, periodontitis, dry mouth, oral mucosal changes and approximately one fourth had high Candida level.