Prevalence of Orofacial Manifestations of Multiple Sclerosis in Patients Admitted Hospital in Sulaimanyah – Iraq

Abstract

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a confirmed autoimmune disease that begins most commonly in young adult years with pathological involvement of many areas of the central nervous system (CNS). This pathology reflects an abnormality in the orofacial area; this study intends to elaborate manifestations at the orofacial area. 
 Methods: This cross-sectional study that was done in Shar hospital in Sulaimanyah-Iraq, which included one hundred patients previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who were interviewed regarding manifestations of multiple sclerosis. A specially designed questionnaire developed for data, data entered and analysis by (SPSS software 24th edition). Chi-square test was used for analyzing variables.
 Results: Females were predominant 68%. At the time of diagnosis 86% of patients were below the age of 40 years. The predominant symptom was eye involvement (50%) with no sex difference(P=0.73), but age-dependent(p=0.04). Other manifestations were numbness of tongue (46%), numbness of face (40%), facial palsy(25%), dysphagia (12%), they were no statistically significant. No patients reported trigeminal neuralgia at the beginning of the disease.
 Conclusions: Based on this study dentists and physicians could participate in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis by doing a proper referral.