Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Celiac Portuguese Children: a cross-sectional study

Importance of celiac disease oral manifestations in pediatric patients: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. It is more commonly diagnosed in children presenting typical clinical signs and symptoms but most of the CD patients diagnosed in the developed world are silent cases with no prominent gastrointestinal features. Thus, there are silent forms of the disease in which oral manifestations are the first sign. In the pediatric population oral health can affect growth and self-esteem and have a negative impact in their life quality.

AIM

To assess the prevalence and types of oral manifestations in pediatric patients with CD.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Scielo, Cochrane Library and Lilacs databases from 2014-2024. Three independent researchers screened and extracted the information, applying the eligibility criteria and bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools.

RESULTS

Of the initial 241 articles, 14 studies fulfilled the proposed objectives and were included in the review. The main oral manifestations found were recurrent aphthous stomatitis and enamel defects. Additionally, delayed tooth eruption, angular cheilitis, glossodynia and xerostomia were also reported.

CONCLUSION

Assessing oral manifestations is crucial, especially in underdiagnosed cases of children with CD. Recognizing these signs helps pediatricians or general practitioners identify them during routine exams, enabling early diagnosis and treatment to prevent negative impacts on the child’s and family’s quality of life.

Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale: Psychometric Evaluation in Portuguese Preschoolers

Objective

to contribute to the validation of the Early Childhood Oral Impact Scale (ECOHIS) by studying its psychometric properties when applied to a Portuguese preschool population.

Methods

Cross-sectional study conducted with children aged between three and five-years-old. The non-probabilistic sample included two preschools in the municipality of Lisbon. Children who agreed to participate and whose guardians signed the informed consent were included. Data collection included a questionnaire, administered to the parents, and an intraoral examination of the children. The questionnaire included the Portuguese version of ECOHIS. The intraoral examination included the caries diagnosis according to the World Health Organization criteria. Discriminant validity compared the ECOHIS score between children with and without caries experience (Mann-Whitney U-test). Cohen's d was calculated to estimate the magnitude of the difference. Reliability analysis included Cronbach's α and test-retest. Construct validity was analyzed by the correlation between the ECOHIS score and dmft (Spearman's correlation). A significance level of 5% was used.

Results

The sample included 104 children (mean age 4.1 years). ECOHIS values were significantly different between children with and without caries (p=0.004). The Cohen's d was 0.84. The Cronbach's was 0.78, with no significant increase in value when eliminating any of the items. The test-retest showed significant correlation (r=0.76; p=0.01). There was a significant correlation between the ECOHIS score and caries experience (r=0.28; p=0.004).

Conclusion

The Portuguese version of the ECOHIS showed good psychometric properties, indicating that it is a reliable and valid tool to measure the impact of oral health in preschool children.

Celiac Disease-Related Enamel Defects: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review aims to elucidate the intricate correlation between celiac disease (CD) and dental enamel defects (DED), exploring pathophysiological mechanisms, oral health implications, and a dentist's role in early diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search from 1 January 2013 to 1 January 2024 across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science identified 153 publications. After exclusions, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. Inclusion criteria involved study types (RCTs, RCCTs, case series), human participants, English language, and full-text available.

RESULTS

The search yielded 153 publications, with 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. Notable findings include a high prevalence of DED in CD patients, ranging from 50 to 94.1%. Symmetrical and chronological defects, according to Aine's classification, were predominant, and significant associations were observed between CD severity and enamel defect extent.

CONCLUSIONS

The early recognition of oral lesions, particularly through Aine's classification, may signal potential CD even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Correlations between CD and dental health conditions like molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) emphasize the dentist's crucial role in early diagnosis. Collaboration between dentists and gastroenterologists is essential for effective monitoring and management. This review consolidates current knowledge, laying the groundwork for future research and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration for improved CD-related oral health outcomes. Further large-scale prospective research is recommended to deepen our understanding of these issues.