Association between oral health and alcoholic liver disease - A cross-sectional analytical study

Abstract

Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a condition with compromised immunity and dental foci can act as a potential source of infection. Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to assess and compare the oral health among patients with alcoholic liver disease with healthy individuals and to determine an association between oral health and alcoholic liver disease.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study assessed 100 participants with ALD and 100 age and gender matched subjects. Demographic details, laboratory investigation results, medical, dental & family history, oral hygiene practices, information about tobacco and alcohol habits were collected. Caries, periodontal disease, oral mucosal lesions and intervention urgency were assessed using WHO (2013) criteria. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. A p <0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Mean age of participants in ALD and control groups were 43.71 ± 6.79 and 42.82 ± 6.23 years respectively. Caries experience (DMFT) was higher in ALD group (11.55±12.29) than comparison group (8.2±8.89) (p=0.001) giving an association with age of onset of alcohol abuse. Periodontal health was poor among ALD group with more teeth with gingival bleeding, shallow or deep pockets and loss of attachment giving an association between age of onset, duration of disease since diagnosed and MELD score. Among ALD group 7% had leukoplakia. Association was found between oral mucosal lesion and duration of disease since diagnosed and MELD score.Conclusion: Oral health was poor among ALD group than comparison group. Dental caries was associated with alcohol abuse and oral mucosal lesion was associated with alcoholic liver disease whereas periodontal disease was associated with alcohol abuse and alcoholic liver disease.