Oral health in patients with liver cirrhosis

Abstract

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.