Effect of the aetiology and severity of liver disease on oral health and dental treatment prior to transplantation

Persisting dental foci increase the risk for bacterial infections before and after liver transplant

BACKGROUND

Patients awaiting liver transplant are usually assessed for presence of dental foci to prevent bacterial infection post-transplant, but evidence to support dental examination and treatment is limited. We investigated if treatment of dental foci decreased bacterial infections before and after transplant.

METHODS

Patients transplanted at the university hospital of Bonn were retrospectively assessed for occurrence of bacterial infections before and after transplant according to presence and treatment of dental foci.

RESULTS

35/110 patients showed good oral health, 39/110 patients received dental care and 36/110 patients did not receive dental care despite poor oral health. Patients with alcohol-associated liver disease presented with the highest rate of dental foci. Bleeding complications due to oral care occurred in five patients with poor coagulation. After transplant, the number of infections per patient was higher in patients with poor oral health (2.9) compared to patients after dental care (1.9) or with good oral health (1.8) (p = .02), with streptococcal infections being more frequent in patients with poor oral health. Before transplant, bacterial infections, in particular bacteraemia and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, were also more common in patients with untreated dental foci. Streptococci and Staphylococci were more often detected in patients with dental foci. Dental treatment was associated with a reduction in bacterial infections.

CONCLUSION

Presence of dental foci is associated with an increased risk for bacterial infections not only after but also before liver transplant. Dental treatment might be a safe and effective procedure to mitigate this risk.

Oral Health and Liver Disease: Bidirectional Associations—A Narrative Review

Several links between chronic liver disease and oral health have been described and are discussed in this narrative review. Oral manifestations such as lichen planus, ulcers, xerostomia, erosion and tongue abnormalities seem to be particularly prevalent among patients with chronic liver disease. These may be causal, coincidental, secondary to therapeutic interventions, or attributable to other factors commonly observed in liver disease patients. In addition, findings from both experimental and epidemiological studies suggest that periodontitis can induce liver injury and contribute to the progression of chronic liver disease through periodontitis-induced systemic inflammation, endotoxemia, and gut dysbiosis with increased intestinal translocation. This has brought forward the hypothesis of an oral-gut-liver axis. Preliminary clinical intervention studies indicate that local periodontal treatments may lead to beneficial liver effects, but more human studies are needed to clarify if treatment of periodontitis truly can halt or reverse progression of liver disease and improve liver-related outcomes.

The association between oral health status and the clinical outcome of cirrhotic patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation

Liver transplantation (LT) candidates often present with poor oral hygiene, which could potentially lead to systemic infections and sepsis owing to their cirrhotic state. In this study, we investigated the oral health status of LT candidates and propose guidance for the detection and treatment of encountered oral lesions among these patients. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was determined through oral examination. The presence of dental calculus was detected using panoramic radiography and defined by the radiopaque dental calculus (RDC). From January 2011 to August 2018, 56 LT candidates were enrolled with a median follow-up of 39 months. The overall mean numbers of decayed, missing, and filled teeth among these patients were 2.7 ± 2.8, 10.9 ± 8.3, and 5.4 ± 4.5, respectively. Eighteen patients (32.1%) had RDC. The 5-year survival rates of all 56 patients was 57.7%, while that of those who either received LT (23 patients) or not were 82.1% and 39.8%, respectively. A Cox regression model revealed better overall survival of patients after LT (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.067, p = 0.001), worse survival among patients with RDC (aHR = 3.468, p = 0.010), at Child-Pugh stages B and C (aHR for stage B = 11.889, p = 0.028; aHR for stage C = 19.257, p = 0.013) compared to patients at Child-Pugh stage A, and those with a model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥25 (aHR = 13.721, p = 0.018). This study demonstrates that RDC was associated with worse prognosis in LT candidates. We therefore recommend that interprofessional collaboration should be a routine preoperative procedure for the evaluation of oral hygiene among LT candidates.

Bittencourt P, Cavalcanti A, Paraná R, Lins-Kusterer L. Poor Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Pre- and Post-Liver Transplantation Patients

Background:

Oral health is associated with Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) and may play a relevant role in oral (OHRQoL) and general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people with chronic liver disease (CLD).

Objective:

To explore the correlations between OHRQoL and HRQoL in pre- and post-liver transplantation (LT) patients.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study with 189 patients: 63 per group (pre-LT, post-LT, and without liver disease). The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and the Work Ability Index (WAI) were used to measure oral health-related quality of life, health-related quality of life, and work ability, respectively. Oral health was evaluated according to the World Health Organization criteria. The relationship between the OHIP-14 and independent variables was analysed by multiple linear regression.

Results:

Pre-LT group presented the highest OHIP-14 total mean score, followed by the post-LT group, compared to the group without liver disease (p=0.001). All HRQoL and WAI mean scores were lower in the pre-LT group than in the other groups (p≤0.013). In the pre-LT group, the OHIP-14 total mean score was negatively correlated with the Mental Health, Physical Functioning, and General Health mean scores (p=0.01) and negatively and significantly (p<0.05) associated with decayed teeth and with poor workability. In the post-TL group, OHRQOL of life was associated with decayed and missing teeth, lower educational level, and poor workability.

Conclusion:

Patients in the pre- and post-LT groups presented poorer OHRQoL compared to patients without liver disease. OHRQoL was strongly correlated with HRQoL in the pre-LT group.

Salivary Biomarkers and Oral Health in Liver Transplant Recipients, with an Emphasis on Diabetes

Salivary biomarkers have been linked to various systemic diseases. We examined the association between salivary biomarkers, periodontal health, and microbial burden in liver transplant (LT) recipients with and without diabetes, after transplantation. We hypothesized that diabetic recipients would exhibit impaired parameters. This study included 84 adults who received an LT between 2000 and 2006 in Finland. Dental treatment preceded transplantation. The recipients were re-examined, on average, six years later. We evaluated a battery of salivary biomarkers, microbiota, and subjective oral symptoms. Periodontal health was assessed, and immunosuppressive treatments were recorded. Recipients with impaired periodontal health showed higher matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels (p < 0.05) and MMP-8/tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) ratios (p < 0.001) than recipients with good periodontal health. Diabetes post-LT was associated with impaired periodontal health (p < 0.05). No difference between groups was found in the microbial counts. Salivary biomarker levels did not seem to be affected by diabetes. However, the advanced pro-inflammatory state induced by and associated with periodontal inflammation was reflected in the salivary biomarker levels, especially MMP-8 and the MMP-8/TIMP-1 molar ratio. Thus, these salivary biomarkers may be useful for monitoring the oral inflammatory state and the course of LT recipients.

The impact of oral diseases in cirrhosis on complications and mortality

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of various oral diseases and to examine the association of the oral diseases with complications and mortality of cirrhosis.

METHODS

A total of 184 cirrhosis patients were enrolled and were followed up for 2 years. They underwent oral clinical and radiographic examination. At study entry, the associations between oral diseases with nutrition, inflammation, and cirrhosis complication status were examined. Then, the associations of oral diseases with all-cause and cirrhosis-related mortality were examined using Cox regression to adjust for confounding by age, gender, smoking, alcohol use, alcoholic cirrhosis, cirrhosis complications, comorbidity, Child-Pugh, and Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.

RESULTS

At entry, 26% of the patients had gross caries, 46% periapical lesions, 27% oral mucosal lesions, and 68% periodontitis. Having one or more oral diseases was associated with a higher prevalence of cirrhosis complications (46.7 vs 20.5%), higher C-reactive protein (28.5 mg/L vs 10.4 mg/L), and higher nutritional risk score (4 vs 3). Two-thirds of the patients died during follow-up. The patients with more than one oral disease had an increasingly higher all-cause mortality (two diseases: hazard ratio [HR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.98; three and four diseases: HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.05-3.24) and even higher cirrhosis-related mortality (two diseases: HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.01-2.40; three and four diseases: HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.05-8.83) compared to those with no oral disease.

CONCLUSION

In cirrhosis, having more than one oral disease was associated with more complications and with higher mortality.

Periodontitis Impact in Interleukin-6 Serum Levels in Solid Organ Transplanted Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review aimed to investigate the influence of periodontitis on post-transplant IL-6 serum levels of solid organ transplanted patients as compared to healthy subjects. Four databases (PubMed, Scholar, EMBASE, and CENTRAL) were searched up to February 2020 (PROSPERO CRD42018107817). Case-control and cohort studies on the association of IL-6 serum levels with a periodontal status of patients after solid organ transplantation were included. The risk of bias of observational studies was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Random effects meta-analyses were thoroughly conducted. GRADE assessment provided quality evidence. Four case-control studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria (274 transplant recipients and 146 healthy controls), all of low risk of bias. Meta-analyses revealed significantly higher IL-6 levels in transplanted patients than healthy individuals with low-quality evidence (Mean Difference (MD): 2.55 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.07, 3.03)). Transplanted patients with periodontitis have higher serum IL-6 levels than transplanted patients without periodontitis with moderate quality evidence (MD: 2.20 (95% CI: 1.00, 3.39)). We found low-quality evidence of higher IL-6 levels than healthy patients in patients with heart and kidney transplant. In these transplanted patients, there was moderate quality evidence that periodontitis is associated with higher IL-6 serum levels. Future research should consider the impact of such a difference in organ failure and systemic complications.

Dissociations of oral foci of infections with infectious complications and survival after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Introduction

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients are at increased risk for severe infections. This study examined the associations of common oral infections with survival and infectious complications in HSCT recipients.

Materials and methods

All autologous and allogeneic HSCT recipients transplanted in the University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland, between 2008 and 2016 and referred to oral infection control pre-HSCT were included in this retrospective case-control study. All patients had a clinical and a panoramic radiological dental examination taken immediately prior to HSCT. Presence of acute or chronic oral foci of infections, decayed, missing or filled tooth index (DMFT) and radiological attachment loss (RAL) were examined. Survival and infections of the subjects were followed up for 6 months post-HSCT.

Results

Altogether 341 allogeneic and 125 autologous HSCT recipients were included in the study. Within 6 months post-HSCT, 47 (14%) of the allogeneic and 4 (3%) of the autologous recipients died. Oral foci of infections (acute or chronic), DMFT or periodontitis pre-HSCT were not associated with survival 6 months post-HSCT. Oral foci of infections were also not associated with hospital treated infectious diseases or blood culture positive bacteremia during the 6 month follow-up period. Untreated oral foci of infections were not associated with survival or severe infectious complications within 6 months post-HSCT.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that radical dental interventions to chronic oral infections could be postponed until post-HSCT.

Osteoporosis and Jaw Abnormalities in Panoramic Radiography of Chronic Liver Failure Patients

INTRODUCTION

Patients with chronic liver failure (CLF) are faced with many complications, because this organ is involved in various metabolic activities. Hepatic osteodystrophy is one of the major health issues encountered by this group of patients. The current study evaluated osteoporosis and bone changes in oral panoramic radiographies of cirrhotic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 138 panoramic views of CLF patients, candidates for liver transplant (65 females, 73 males, aged 19-68 years) referred to Shiraz University Dental Clinic (Shiraz, Iran) for pretransplant oral examination, were evaluated. Also 138 healthy individuals (69 females, 69 males, aged 18-70 years) referred to the same clinic were examined. Abnormalities such as osteoporosis, pathologic radiolucencies, pathologic calcifications, tonsilloliths, condylar degeneration, and other findings in the alveolar bones were recorded.

RESULTS

Osteoporosis was a common finding in CLF patients (p<0.001), and the probability of detecting low bone density in the panoramic view was 20.37 times higher among patients than healthy subjects. The probability of detecting pathologic jaw radiolucencies was 8.92 times higher in the case group than in the controls (p<0.001). Other bone abnormalities such as condylar degeneration and idiopathic osteosclerosis were also more prevalent in CLF patients compared to healthy subjects (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Cirrhotic patients are prone to osteoporosis of the alveolar bones. Also, pathologic jaw radiolucencies as a result of oral infections are more prevalent in this group of patients. Routine oral panoramic views are acceptable and cost-effective radiographies for use in detecting such abnormalities in the alveolar bones as well as overall dental health. These findings also support the importance of dental health examinations prior to liver transplantation to reduce the risk of organ rejection.

Development of Routine Dental Care for Liver Transplant Outpatients

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation has become commonplace for patients with end-stage liver disease. The liver is a bodily organ of great importance, and its dysfunction can cause significant complications throughout the body. Patients with hepatic disease should be able to acquire knowledge of the physiology of the liver via the dental profession, and it is also necessary to modify some aspects of dental treatment even in healthy patients. Problems such as excessive bleeding and hepatotoxicity caused by some of the drugs used in dental treatment can lead to a decrease in systemic health. Otherwise, patients with liver disease will have poorer oral health than the general population. Thus, it is important to have well-established routine dental care in this patient group and offer management of oral health in view of the effects of liver disease.

METHODS

The objective of this work was to undertake a bibliographic review of the dental approaches to patients with liver disease and liver transplant recipients and to propose a dental care routine for such patients in an outpatient setting.

RESULTS

A search was carried out on the main scientific databases (PubMed, Medline, and SciELO) for publications related to this subject and, particularly those published after 2010. The articles selected describe poor oral hygiene among patients, independent of the etiology of their liver disease. These patients also had a high index of xerostomia, caries, periodontal disease, apical lesions, and fungical infections. To control bleeding during and after surgery, hemostatic measures must be understood and adopted.

CONCLUSION

There are no data about routine dental care among liver disease/transplantation patients. Thus, our findings will hopefully encourage other services to structure their approaches and consider enhancing their dental care protocols for patients with liver-related complications.

Unique subgingival microbiota associated with periodontitis in cirrhosis patients

Liver cirrhosis is a severe disease with major impact on the overall health of the patient including poor oral health. Lately, there has been increasing focus on oral diseases as cirrhosis-related complications due to the potential impact on systemic health and ultimately mortality. Periodontitis is one of the most common oral diseases in cirrhosis patients. However, no studies have investigated the composition of the subgingival microbiome in patients suffering from periodontitis and liver cirrhosis. We analysed the subgingival microbiome in 21 patients with periodontitis and cirrhosis using long-reads Illumina sequencing. The subgingival microbiota was dominated by bacteria belonging to the Firmicutes phylum and to a lesser extend the Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes phyla. Bacteria usually considered periodontal pathogens, like Porhyromonas ginigivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, generally showed low abundancy. Comparing the microbiota in our patients with that of periodontitis patients and healthy controls of three other studies revealed that the periodontitis-associated subgingival microbiota in cirrhosis patients is composed of a unique microbiota of bacteria not normally associated with periodontitis. We hypothesise that periodontitis in cirrhosis patients is a consequence of dysbiosis due to a compromised immune system that renders commensal bacteria pathogenic.

Evaluation of risk factors for oral infection with potential for spread in a 1-year cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the frequency of oral infection with potential for spread (OIPS) and behavioural risk factors in patients referred to a regional tertiary care-centre for OIPS assessment and clearance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A database search of all referrals to the Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases unit of HUH in 2009 was performed. Of the 2807 referrals, 408 were due to a known or suspected OIPS. The electronic patient records of these patients were analysed for patient demographics, lifestyle factors, radiological findings and clinical oral findings. Risk factors for OIPS were analysed using logistic regression and using the significant factors in univariate analyses in the multivariate models.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 58 years. Most patients (n = 270, 66%) were referred due to upcoming cancer or other immunosuppressive therapy. The majority (n = 314, 77%) were diagnosed with one or more OIPS. In univariate analyses, smoking (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6-6.4; p = 0.0006), male gender (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.8; p = 0.02), excessive alcohol use (OR 3.0, 95% 1.1-7.9; p = 0.03) and irregular dental care (OR 4.8, 95% CI 2.6-8.8; p < 0.0001) were risk factors for OIPS. However, in multivariate analyses, smoking was the only independent risk factor for OIPS (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2-11.8; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

OIPS are common in patients referred for OIPS clearance, and smoking was identified as an independent behavioural risk factor for them. These findings highlight the burden of disease in this patient group and the importance of smoking cessation encouragement.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To identify patients at increased risk of OIPS.

Periodontitis in patients with cirrhosis: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Many patients with cirrhosis have poor oral health but little is known on periodontitis, and its clinical significance is largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and predictors of periodontitis, and evaluate the association of periodontitis with nutritional and systemic inflammation status.

METHODS

145 patients with cirrhosis were consecutively enrolled. Clinical, oral examination of plaque, pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on probing was performed. Patients were categorized as having no-or-mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis. Predictors of severe periodontitis and the association with nutritional and systemic inflammation status were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The large majority of patients had periodontitis, 46% of them severely and 39% moderately. Predictors of severe periodontitis included smoking (odds ratio (OR) 2.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-6.63), brushing teeth twice daily (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11-0.79), and visiting the dentist annually (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.22-10.81). Cirrhosis etiology or severity was not predictors of severe periodontitis. The patients with severe periodontitis had a higher nutritional risk score than patients with moderate, mild, or no periodontitis (3, interquartile range (IQR) 3-5 vs. 3, IQR 2-4, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Most cirrhosis patients had significant periodontitis, the severity of which was related to life style factors and was associated with higher nutrition risk score. Our results emphasize the need for further research to establish the effect of periodontitis on cirrhosis.

Severe periodontitis and higher cirrhosis mortality

Background

Periodontitis and edentulism are prevalent in patients with cirrhosis, but their clinical significance is largely unknown.

Objective

The objective of this article is to determine the association of severe periodontitis and edentulism with mortality in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

A total of 184 cirrhosis patients underwent an oral examination. All-cause and cirrhosis-related mortality was recorded. The associations of periodontitis and edentulism with mortality were explored by Kaplan-Meier survival plots and Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for age, gender, cirrhosis etiology, Child-Pugh score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, smoker status, present alcohol use, comorbidity, and nutritional risk score.

Results

The total follow-up time was 74,197 days (203.14 years). At entry, 44% of the patients had severe periodontitis and 18% were edentulous. Forty-four percent of the patients died during follow-up. Severe periodontitis was associated with higher all-cause mortality in the crude analysis (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.06-2.54), but not in the adjusted analysis (HR 1.45, 95% CI 0.79-2.45). Severe periodontitis was even more strongly associated with higher cirrhosis-related mortality (crude HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.07-4.50 and adjusted HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.04-4.99). No association was found between edentulism and mortality.

Conclusion

The presence of severe periodontitis predicted a more than double one-year cirrhosis mortality. These findings may motivate intervention trials on the effect of periodontitis treatment in patients with cirrhosis.

Presence and consequence of tooth periapical radiolucency in patients with cirrhosis

Background

Periapical radiolucency is the radiographic sign of inflammatory bone lesions around the apex of the tooth. We determined the prevalence and predictors of periapical radiolucency in patients with cirrhosis and the association with systemic inflammation status and cirrhosis-related complications.

Methods

A total of 110 cirrhosis patients were consecutively enrolled. Periapical radiolucency was defined as the presence of radiolucency or widening of the periapical periodontal ligament space to more than twice the normal width. Predictors of periapical radiolucency and the association with systemic inflammation markers and cirrhosis-related complications were explored by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

Periapical radiolucency was present in one or more teeth in 46% of the patients. Strong predictors were gross caries (odds ratio [OR] 3.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43–6.79) and severe periodontitis (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.04–15.20). Also old age (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01–1.19) and smoking (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.02–17.62) were predictors. However, cirrhosis etiology (alcoholic vs nonalcoholic) or severity (Model of End-Stage Liver Disease score) were not predictors. The patients with periapical radiolucency had higher C-reactive protein (15.8 mg/L vs 8.1 mg/L, P=0.02) and lower albumin contents (25 g/L vs 28 g/L, P=0.04) than those without. Furthermore, the patients with periapical radiolucency had a higher prevalence of cirrhosis-related complications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and/or variceal bleeding (46% vs 27%, P=0.05).

Conclusion

Periapical radiolucency is often present as an element of poor oral health status and likely has an adverse clinical significance, which should motivate diagnostic and clinical attention to the findings.

Oral Surgical Treatment of Patients With Chronic Liver Disease: Assessments of Bleeding and Its Relationship With Thrombocytopenia and Blood Coagulation Parameters

PURPOSE

Cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation require eradication of infectious oral foci to prevent septic episodes after transplantation; however, cirrhosis can hinder hemostasis and can result in severe bleeding. The present study assessed the bleeding risk factors connected with the clinical history of these patients and the characteristics of the extractions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 1183 extractions in 318 patients, including 47 with severe end-stage liver disease who were outside of our intention-to-treat bracket (ie, platelet count [PLT] >40 × 10³/μL and international normalized ratio [INR] <2.5). Follow-up examinations included inspection of the oral cavity on the first, third, and seventh days, with reparatory surgery in the case of severe bleeding. Continuous variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact test. Binary logistic regression analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

Within the intention-to-treat bracket, 1 of the 271 patients (0.4%) required surgical repair. The bleeding rate for an INR of 2.5 or more was significantly greater than that for a PLT of 40 × 10³/μL or less (4 of 10 [40%] versus 2 of 34 [6%]; P = .02]. All 3 patients with both an INR of 2.5 or more and a PLT of 40 × 10³/μL or less exhibited severe bleeding. No significant association between the occurrence of bleeding with either liver disease etiology or the number of molars extracted was found. No patient required hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a PLT greater than 40 × 10³/μL and an INR of less than 2.5 can be considered relatively low-risk patients. However, an INR of 2.5 or more and, to a minor degree, a PLT of 40 × 10³/μL or less represent significant risk factors.

Interaction between periodontitis and liver diseases

Periodontitis is an oral disease that is highly prevalent worldwide, with a prevalence of 30–50% of the population in developed countries, but only ~10% present with severe forms. It is also estimated that periodontitis results in worldwide productivity losses amounting to ~54 billion USD yearly. In addition to the damage it causes to oral health, periodontitis also affects other types of disease. Numerous studies have confirmed the association between periodontitis and systemic diseases, such as diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Increasing evidence also indicated that periodontitis may participate in the progression of liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as affecting liver transplantation. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are currently no reviews elaborating upon the possible links between periodontitis and liver diseases. Therefore, the current review summarizes the human trials and animal experiments that have been conducted to investigate the correlation between periodontitis and liver diseases. Furthermore, in the present review, certain mechanisms that have been postulated to be responsible for the role of periodontitis in liver diseases (such as bacteria, pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress) are considered. The aim of the review is to introduce the hypothesis that periodontitis may be important in the progression of liver disease, thus providing dentists and physicians with an improved understanding of this issue.

[Dental management in patients with cirrhosis]

The present article makes a brief review about dental management of the patients with cirrhosis. It focus on problems related with infections, haemorrhagic events and treatment with drugs of common use in odontology.

Periodontal disease and liver cirrhosis: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Studies suggest that periodontal disease, a source of subclinical and persistent infection, may be associated with various systemic conditions, including liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to examine the literature and determine the relationship between periodontal disease and liver cirrhosis and to identify opportunities and directions for future research in this area.

METHODS

A systematic review of English articles in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases was conducted using search terms including 'liver cirrhosis', 'end-stage liver disease', 'liver diseases', 'oral health', 'periodontal disease', 'mouth disease', 'gingivitis', and 'periodontitis'.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies published between 1981 and 2014 were found to include data on oral health and periodontal disease in cirrhotic patients. Studies indicated an increased incidence of periodontal disease in patients with liver cirrhosis, measured with several different periodontal indices. The reported prevalence of periodontal disease in cirrhosis patients ranged from 25.0% to 68.75% in four studies and apical periodontitis was found in 49%-79% of the patients. One study found that mortality was lower among patients who underwent dental treatment versus non-treated patients. Another study suggested an association between periodontal disease and the progression of liver cirrhosis, but data are sparse and conflicting as to whether periodontal disease is correlated to cirrhosis aetiology and severity.

CONCLUSION

Despite the clinical reality of periodontal disease in liver cirrhosis patients, there are few published studies. Before clinical implications can be addressed, more data on the prevalence of and correlation between periodontal disease and liver cirrhosis aetiology, duration, and progression are needed.

Oral health in patients with liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the oral care habits and self-perceived oral health in patients with liver cirrhosis, as well as to evaluate the impact of oral health on well-being and the relation to nutritional status.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

From October 2012 to May 2013, we carried out a prospective study on patients with liver cirrhosis. Questions on oral care habits and self-perceived oral health were answered, and the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14) provided information on oral conditions. The findings were compared with The Danish Institute for Health Services Research report on the Danish population's dental status.

RESULTS

One hundred and seven patients participated. Their oral care habits and self-perceived oral health were poorer than the Danish population; the patients had fewer teeth (on average 19 vs. 26, P = 0.0001), attended the dentist less frequently (P = 0.001), more rarely brushed teeth (P = 0.001) and had problems with oral dryness (68 vs. 14%, P = 0.0001). The patients' mean OHIP score was 5.21 ± 7.2, with the most commonly reported problems being related to taste and food intake. An association was observed between the OHIP score and the patients' nutritional risk score (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that cirrhosis patients cared less for oral health than the background population. Their resulting problems may be contributing factors to their nutritional risk and decreased well-being. Oral health problems may thus have adverse prognostic importance. Our results emphasize the need for measures to protect and improve the oral health of cirrhosis patients.

Reporting of dental status from full-arch radiographs: Descriptive analysis and methodological aspects

AIM: To identify standards, how entities of dental status are assessed and reported from full-arch radiographs of adults.

METHODS: A PubMed (Medline) search was performed in November 2011. Literature had to report at least one out of four defined entities using radiographs: number of teeth or implants; caries, fillings or restorations; root-canal fillings and apical health; alveolar bone level. Cohorts included to the study had to be of adult age. Methods of radiographic assessment were noted and checked for the later mode of report in text, tables or diagrams. For comparability, the encountered mode of report was operationalized to a logical expression.

RESULTS: Thirty-seven out of 199 articles were evaluated via full-text review. Only one article reported all four entities. Eight articles reported at the maximum 3 comparable entities. However, comparability is impeded because of the usage of absolute or relative frequency, mean or median values as well as grouping. Furthermore the methods of assessment were different or not described sufficiently. Consequently, established sum scores turned out to be highly questionable, too. The amount of missing data within all studies remained unclear. It is even so remissed to mention supernumerary and aplased teeth as well as the count of third molars.

CONCLUSION: Data about dental findings from radiographs is, if at all possible, only comparable with serious limitations. A standardization of both, assessing and reporting entities of dental status from radiographs is missing and has to be established within a report guideline.

Association between dental infections and the clinical course of chronic liver disease

AIM

Dental infections are implicated in several systemic diseases due to bacteremia and pro-inflammatory effects, but their possible role in liver disease is unclear.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical course of liver disease in relation to dental health among 116 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent dental examination before liver transplantation.

RESULTS

The need for multiple tooth extractions, a surrogate marker of dental infections, was associated with reduced time from diagnosis of liver disease to the need for liver transplantation (P = 0.02). The association was independent of age, sex, liver disease etiology and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (P = 0.04). Among 38 patients with accurate laboratory follow-up data, the number of tooth extractions correlated with the change in MELD score during the year preceding dental examination (r = 0.43, P = 0.03). Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Streptococcus viridans occurred only among patients with multiple dental infections.

CONCLUSION

Dental infections may influence the clinical course of liver disease, but prospective studies are needed.

Prevalence of apical periodontitis and frequency of root canal treatments in liver transplant candidates

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and endodontic treatment in liver transplant candidates and control healthy subjects. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Forty two liver transplant candidates (LTC) (study group) and 42 control subjects. Digital panoramic radiographs where used. Periapical status was scored according to the periapical index (PAI). Results were analysed statistically using the Chi-squared test and logistic regression. Results: Radiographic signs of AP in one or more teeth was found in 79% of patients in the study group and in 50% of control subjects (p = 0.008; OR = 3.7; C. I. 95% = 1.4 - 9.5). One or more root-filled teeth (RFT) were found in 19% and 62% of study and control subjects, respectively (p = 0.0001; OR = 0.14; 95% C. I. = 0.05 - 0.38). Among LTC patients 14.7% of the teeth had AP, whereas in the control subjects 4.2% of teeth were affected (p= 0.0002). The percentage of RFT in the study and control groups was 1.5% and 6.8%, respectively (p = 0.0002). Conclusions: Liver transplant candidates have significantly higher prevalence of radiographic periapical lesions and lower frequency of RFT than controls healthy subjects.

Key words:Apical periodontitis, endodontics, hepatic cirrhosis, liver disease, liver transplant, oral health, root-canal treatment.

Self-reported oral symptoms and signs in liver transplant recipients and a control population

Recipients of liver transplantation (LT) receive lifelong immunosuppression, which causes side effects. We investigated self-reported oral symptoms and associated risk factors with the following hypothesis: symptoms and signs would differ between LT recipients of different etiology groups and also between LT recipients and a control population. Eighty-four LT recipients (64 with chronic liver disease and 20 with acute liver disease) were recruited for clinical oral and salivary examinations (median follow-up = 5.7 years). A structured questionnaire was used to record subjective oral symptoms. Matched controls (n = 252) came from the National Finnish Health 2000 survey. The prevalence of symptoms was compared between the groups, and the risk factors for oral symptoms were analyzed. Xerostomia was prevalent in 48.4% of the chronic LT recipients and in 42.1% of the acute LT recipients. This subjective feeling of dry mouth was only partly linked to objectively measured hyposalivation. The chronic transplant recipients had significantly lower unstimulated salivary flow rates than the acute transplant recipients (0.34 ± 0.31 versus 0.61 ± 0.49 mL/minute, P = 0.005). Among the chronic transplant recipients, hyposalivation with unstimulated salivary flow was associated with fewer teeth (17.7 ± 8.2 versus 21.9 ± 8.4, P = 0.047) and more dentures (33.3% versus 12.2%, P = not significant). The chronic patients reported significantly more dysphagia than their controls (23.4% versus 11.5%, P = 0.02). Increases in the number of medications increased the symptoms in all groups. In conclusion, dysphagia was significantly more prevalent among the chronic LT recipients versus the controls. The number of medications was a risk factor for dry mouth-related symptoms for both the LT recipients and the controls. The chronic transplant recipients presented with lower salivary flow rates than the acute transplant recipients. Hyposalivation correlated with generally worse oral health among the chronic transplant recipients. These differences between the chronic and acute LT recipients may have been due to differences in their medical conditions due to the different etiologies.