The effectiveness of on-line monitoring of oral cavity changes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Objective — to assess the effectiveness of using an on‑line format for dental monitoring of patients with non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease
 Materials and methods. A two‑time dental questionnaire survey was conducted on 41 patients with a combined course of chronic generalized periodontitis (CP) and non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and their physically healthy spouses. All patients selected for the study underwent treatment of periodontal tissues, individual training in hygienic care of the oral cavity with the selection of tooth brushing techniques, hygiene objects and products. Control survey to assess knowledge and skills of oral care was conducted after 12 months with the use of on‑line questionnaires.
 Results. It has been proven that most married couples were sufficiently motivated to implement the provided recommendations. Thus, if at the beginning of the study there were almost 71% of married couples where both spouses preferred the use of easily digestible carbohydrates, then after the individual classes, their number decreased almost in 5 times. Similarly, the frequency of positive answers to questions about the consumption of sweet fizzy drinks decreased. A significant number of family couples denied smoking at the endpoint of the study, and the number of positive responses to questions related to full‑fledged oral hygiene (brushing teeth twice, using additional items for individual oral hygiene) increased in more than 1.5 times compared to the initial visit. For most patients, non‑observance of a healthy diet, tobacco smoking, failure to perform full‑fledged oral hygiene was established to be a habitual lifestyle, affecting the course of both CP and NAFLD as a result of entering of the genetic material of pathogenic microorganisms, endotoxins, pro‑inflammatory cytokines etc., in the systemic circulation.
 Conclusions. The use of questionnaires in the on‑line format makes it possible to find out the usual way of life and conduct a comparative analysis of the presence or absence of negative habits’ correction in the process of therapy of comorbid pathology, which is very relevant in the conditions of martial law. Questionnaire surveys of both spouses proved to be important, it promotes the motivation to correct negative habits and increase the effectiveness of treatment and preventive measures.