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Oral health

Apical periodontitis and autoimmune diseases—should we be screening patients prior to therapy?

Evidence-Based Dentistry volume 24, pages 64–65 (2023)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Design

A single-centre retrospective case-control study from 2012–2020 comparing the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) in patients with autoimmune disorders (AD) against a control group of those without. The different medication groups commonly used for treatment of AD were included for comparison.

Case/control selection

This study utilised patients’ electronic records. These were anonymous. Patient sociodemographic variables were collected and compared. Two cases were removed from selection as they were being treated with dual biologic therapy.

Data analysis

Both the control group and AP group contained 89 patients. Various additional variables were considered, such as DMFT and a logistical regression analysis was used to correlate between AD and AP.

Results

For the autoimmune disease conditions within this study, the authors found a higher prevalence of apical periodontitis than in the control group, 89.9% versus 74.2%, respectively (p = 0.015). Furthermore, those taking conventional disease-modifying drugs such as methotrexate had a lower prevalence than those on biologics. These results were of statistical significance.

Conclusions

Individuals with autoimmune disorders may have increased prevalence of apical periodontitis irrespective of their treatment with biologics or not. A DMFT score can be used to predict the occurrence of AP.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Restorative/Paediatric Dentistry, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, Glasgow, UK

    Sean Dolan

  2. OMFS, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK

    Euan Rae

Authors
  1. Sean Dolan
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  2. Euan Rae
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sean Dolan.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Dolan, S., Rae, E. Apical periodontitis and autoimmune diseases—should we be screening patients prior to therapy?. Evid Based Dent 24, 64–65 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-023-00886-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-023-00886-4

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