Facts and controversies regarding oral health in Parkinson's disease: A case-control study in Spanish patients

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the leading neurological disorders, affecting more than 6 million people worldwide. These patients present motor and non-motor symptoms, including oral pathology. The objective of this research is to determine the oral health of patients diagnosed with PD, in order to stablish a specific preventive oral health programme. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case-control study on 104 PD and 106 control patients. The pre-designed clinical protocol included a complete oral examination on general aspects, standardised epidemiological index for caries, periodontal disease and edentulism, analysis of oral hygiene, presence of mucous/ salivary/ functional disorder, and dental treatments. RESULTS: A higher number of PD patients consumed daily sweets (p<0.004) and antidepressant drugs (p<0.004). Patients with PD practised less interdental hygiene (p<0.023). The mean plaque index was higher in PD (p<0.003). Drooling (p<0.001), xerostomia (p<0.001), hyposialia (p<0.001), dysphagia (p<0.001), hypogeusia/dysgeusia (p<0.025) and chewing difficulty (p<0.006) were more common in PD. CONCLUSIONS: Oral disorders are frequent in PD. A good knowledge of these alterations will allow us design a specific preventive protocol. Some oral alterations may be a sign of diagnostic alert or progression of PD. Key words:Parkinson's disease, oral health, dysgeusia, dysphagia, drooling.