The Correlation of Cystic Fibrosis Mutations and Dental Caries in A Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Introduction: Previous data showed that dental caries is common in the Saudi general population as well as in the Cystic fibrosis patients. Objectives: to identify the correlation of dental caries severity with cystic fibrosis (CFTR) gene mutations in a tertiary care center Methodology: Retrospective cohort study through reviewing medical files for cystic fibrosis patients who had dental assessment during the period January 1998 to December 2018. Results: A total of 56 patients in group 1 (less than 12 years of age) and 55 patients for group 2 (more than 12 years of age). The score for dental caries (decay, missing and filled teeth) dmft/DMFT were 4.85 (4.6) for group 1 and 5.94 (4.27) for group 2. There were 3 common mutations in both groups namely in c.3700A>G, c.1418delG and c.1911delG. There is another common mutation in group 1 located in c.579+1G>T. Additionally, group 2 has another 3 common mutations that included c.416A>T, c.3909C>G, and c.1647T>G. Almost 95 % of mutations are in homozygous state in both groups. There was no single mutation that favors deterioration in DFMT score. Almost all mutations have similar scores, but certainly, group 2 has worse DFMT compared to group 1. There was no difference in dmft/DMFT scores between homozygous and heterozygous CFTR in both groups. Conclusion: No identified mutation that correlates with worsening in dental caries scores. There was no difference in dental caries’ scores between homozygous and heterozygous CFTR in both pediatric and adult groups