Oral Symptoms Research Articles

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Adolescents in the First 6 Months of Fixed Orthodontic Therapy

Clarification on disabilities that may arise during orthodontic treatment allows patients to have more realistic expectations. This prospective study assessed the impact of fixed orthodontic therapy on adolescents’ quality of life over 6 months. A total of 78 adolescents aged 11–17 years were included. Quality of life was measured using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11–14, short form) at five moments: before treatment (T0), one week (T1), one month (T2), three months (T3), and six months (T4) after treatment initiation. Multiple and pairwise comparisons were conducted for CPQ11–14 scores (Friedman and Wilcoxon test; effect size). Changes in the quality of life were assessed as mean differences (T0–T1 and T0–T4) in total and domain scores (Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney test) (α = 5%). Significant differences were observed between T0 and T4 in the oral symptoms’ domain (p < 0.001), and between T0 and T1, T2, T3, and T4 for emotional well-being (p < 0.001 for all). Significant differences in impact were also found between T0 and T2, T3, and T4 with regard to social well-being (p = 0.004, =0.049, and <0.001, respectively). Orthodontic therapy positively impacted the emotional and social aspects of adolescents’ quality of life. Negative effects were primarily related to pain, mouth sores, and difficulty biting or chewing. Understanding the symptoms and feelings of orthodontic patients aids professionals in decision-making.

Statistical Analysis of the Way Diabetes Mellitus Affects Dental Health in the Governorates of Salah Al-Din, Nineveh, and Kirkuk

The purpose of this study was to improve knowledge about oral symptoms and problems associated with diabetes mellitus. Collected data highlighted diabetes mellitus as a prevalent chronic disorder marked by hyperglycemia, leading to various complications throughout the body, including the oral cavity. Notable oral issues associated with diabetes encompass xerostomia, periodontal disease, dental caries, gingivitis, heightened susceptibility to oral infections, burning mouth, taste disturbances, and delayed wound healing. Recognized as significant complications, oral issues in patients with diabetes mellitus impact their quality of life. Chronic oral complications may adversely affect blood glucose control, underscoring the importance of preventive measures and effective management of oral complications in these patients.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS OF THE ORAL HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF AUTISTIC AND NON-AUTISTIC CHILDREN AFTER FULL MOUTH REHABILITATION UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Objectives: To compare the parental perceptions of the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) of autistic and non-autistic children after full mouth rehabilitation under general anesthesia (GA). Methods and Materials: The study included 114 autistic children and 116 children without autism. Two years after receiving therapy under GA, participating parents completed a condensed version of the Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ) and Family Impact Scale (FIS). Demographic data was collected. Oral symptoms, social health, psychology, functional limitation, and family affect ratings. Mean, standard deviation and statistical differences between groups were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Children with autism received higher overall P-CPQ scores than children without autism, according to the frequency distribution of the P-CPQ for parental perception when children with and without autism were compared. In all four domains, when scores were compared according to the domain, there was no statistically significant difference in the scores. According to the FIS frequency distribution, children with autism had higher total FIS scores than children without the condition. The change was not statistically significant, though. Only parental emotions showed a statistically significant difference when scores were examined by domain. Conclusion: Children with autism and children without autism score the same on the P-CPQ, indicating that the impact of comprehensive rehabilitation under GA is positive for both types of children. Parent emotions may not change immediately following the complete rehabilitation under GA which may be required to be handled separately to boost the confidence of the patient. Keywords: Autistic, children, general anesthesia, parents, perception

Detection of Feline Cupripoxvirus and Variation Analysis of Its VP1 Gene in Chengdu from 2020 to 2023

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is an important pathogen causing infectious diseases in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract of cats. Research on its prevalence and genetic variations contributes to the prevention and treatment of related diseases, as well as the development of new vaccines. In this study, a total of 113 samples of eye, nose, and throat secretions were collected from cats with respiratory and oral inflammation symptoms in Chengdu area from 2020 to 2023. The samples were tested using the RT-PCR method. The VP1 gene region was then cloned, sequenced, and subjected to homology analysis and phylogenetic analysis with domestic and foreign FCV reference strains. The results showed that among the 113 samples, 24 tested positive for FCV, with a positive rate of 21.24%. The nucleotide homology between the 5 FCV VP1 genes obtained in this study and the reference strains ranged from 72.6% to 84.1%, while the amino acid homology ranged from 84.0% to 95.9%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains obtained in this study clustered into two gene groups (GⅠ and GⅡ) in the domestic and foreign FCV strain evolution tree. Strains SMU-M2, SMU-M7, SMU-M13, and SMU-M71 belonged to the GⅡ subtype, while strain SMU-M8 belonged to the (GⅠ subtype. The FCV vaccine strain had a distant genetic relationship with the prevalent FCV strains in Chengdu. The study revealed that FCV is prevalent in the cat population of Chengdu, and there is a low genetic homology and significant sequence differences between the prevalent strains and vaccine strains. This suggests the need to evaluate the actual protective efficiency of existing commercial FCV vaccines and promote the development of new vaccines with better cross-protection against prevalent strains.

Xerostomia in patients with advanced cancer: a scoping review of clinical features and complications

BackgroundThe aim of this project was to review the literature on dry mouth / xerostomia in patients with advanced cancer, with the objectives being to determine its prevalence, clinical features, and complications.MethodsStandard methodology was used to conduct this scoping review. Detailed searches of the Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo databases were conducted to identify relevant studies: eligible studies had to include patients with advanced cancer, and to contain details of clinical features and/or complications of xerostomia. Commercial bibliographic / systematic review software was used to support the process.ResultsForty-three studies were discovered from the database and hand searches. The studies included 23 generic symptom studies, eight “symptom cluster” studies, nine oral symptom / problem studies, and three xerostomia-specific studies. In depth data is described on the clinical features and complications of xerostomia, and on the “symptom clusters” including xerostomia, in this cohort of patients.ConclusionThis review discovered a relatively small number of focused studies (involving a similarly small number of patients). Nonetheless, it demonstrates that xerostomia is a very common problem in patients with advanced cancer and is often associated with significant morbidity (and impairment of quality of life).

Ligneous periodontitis exacerbated by Behçet’s disease in a patient with plasminogen deficiency and a stop-gained variant PLG c.1468C > T: a case report

BackgroundPlasminogen serves as the precursor to plasmin, an essential element in the fibrinolytic process, and is synthesized primarily in the liver. Plasminogen activation occurs through the action of plasminogen activator, converting it into plasmin. This conversion greatly enhances the fibrinolytic system within tissues and blood vessels, facilitating the dissolution of fibrin clots. Consequently, congenital deficiency of plasminogen results in impaired fibrin degradation. Patients with plasminogen deficiency typically exhibit fibrin deposits in various mucosal sites throughout the body, including the oral cavity, eyes, vagina, and digestive organs. Behcet's disease is a chronic recurrent systemic inflammatory disease with four main symptoms: aphthous ulcers of the oral mucosa, vulvar ulcers, skin symptoms, and eye symptoms, and has been reported worldwide. This disease is highly prevalent around the Silk Road from the Mediterranean to East Asia.We report a case of periodontitis in a patient with these two rare diseases that worsened quickly, leading to alveolar bone destruction. Genetic testing revealed a novel variant characterized by a stop-gain mutation, which may be a previously unidentified etiologic gene associated with decreased plasminogen activity.Case presentationThis case report depicts a patient diagnosed with ligneous gingivitis during childhood, originating from plasminogen deficiency and progressing to periodontitis. Genetic testing revealed a suspected association with the PLG c.1468C > T (p.Arg490*) stop-gain mutation. The patient's periodontal condition remained stable with brief intervals of supportive periodontal therapy. However, the emergence of Behçet's disease induced acute systemic inflammation, necessitating hospitalization and treatment with steroids. During hospitalization, the dental approach focused on maintaining oral hygiene and alleviating contact-related pain. The patient's overall health improved with inpatient care and the periodontal tissues deteriorated.ConclusionsCollaborative efforts between medical and dental professionals are paramount in comprehensively evaluating and treating patients with intricate complications from rare diseases. Furthermore, the PLG c.1468C > T (p.Arg490*) stop-gain mutation could contribute to the association between plasminogen deficiency and related conditions.

Considerations of Nystatin Roll in Oral Candidiasis Scenario and the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Review

Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic infection usually related to predisposing factors. Oral manifestations in patients affected by COVID-19 have been reported, as the oral mucosa is the gateway to this viral infection. Xerostomia, as well as other oral symptoms, are predisposing factors for the emergence of oral candidiasis after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a common pathology, but fatal if left untreated. Nystatin (NYS) is the drug of first choice in the treatment of oral candidiasis. Herein, we reviewed the epidemiology of oral candidiasis and its treatments, focusing on the mechanism of action, dosage forms, and NYS efficacy. NYS is an effective drug against oral candidiasis and belongs to Class IV of the biopharmaceutical classification system; however, its low solubility and low permeability may compromise its availability in the oral cavity and, consequently, its pharmacological action. Future perspectives to overcome drug limitations were also addressed and discussed in our review.

Oral Extrainstestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Treatment for Oral Symptoms

Oral Extrainstestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Treatment for Oral Symptoms

Usefulness of pepsin saliva measurement for the detection of primary burning mouth syndrome related to reflux.

To study the diagnostic value of salivary pepsin tests for detecting laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in patients with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Patients with BMS and asymptomatic individuals were consecutively recruited from September 2018 to June 2023. Patients underwent hypopharyngeal-esophageal impedance pH-monitoring (HEMII-pH) and saliva collections to measure pepsin. Stomatology evaluation was carried out to exclude other causes of BMS. Oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal signs and symptoms were evaluated with Reflux Sign Assessment (RSA) and Reflux Symptom Score (RSS). Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values of pepsin test were calculated considering the highest values of pepsin tests at ≥ 16, ≥ 36, and ≥ 100ng/mL cutoffs. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was evaluated. Forty-nine patients with both BMS and LPR at the HEMII-pH and 21 asymptomatic individuals were recruited. Pepsin test was 83.7%, 79.6%, and 71.4% sensitive at cutoffs ≥ 16, ≥ 36, and ≥ 100ng/mL, respectively. The ROC analysis reported that a threshold of ≥ 21.5ng/mL was associated with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 81.6%, 81.0%, 90.1% and 65.4%, respectively. The severity score of burning mouth symptom was significantly associated with the saliva pepsin concentration (rs = 0.263; p = 0.029) and the oral RSA (rs = 0.474; p = 0.007). Pepsin test is a valuable diagnostic approach for detecting LPR in patients with BMS. Patients with high level of saliva pepsin reported more severe burning mouth symptoms. Future studies are needed to confirm the role of LPR in the primary BMS.

Water intake and oral disease symptoms in adolescents: a cross-sectional study conducted in Korea in 2021

Objectives: Water constitutes a majority of the human body and is essential for health. In addition, water intake can prevent dental caries by improving salivary lubrication and self-cleaning. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the amount of daily water intake and the symptoms of oral disease in Korean adolescents. Methods: We used data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS), conducted in Korea in 2021, and identified the relationship between daily water intake and oral disease symptoms in Korean adolescents. KYRBS is a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), and a total of 54,848 participants were included in this study. Results: After adjusting for confounding factors, logistic regression analysis showed that tooth pain was more often experienced by those who drank less than two cups of water per day (odds ratio [OR]: 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.30) than those who drank five or more cups of water per day. Conclusions: A low daily water intake is associated with tooth pain, a symptom of dental caries. The results of our study suggest that increasing water intake may reduce dental caries. Therefore, adequate water intake may help prevent dental caries.

Factors Related to Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life in Adult Male Inmates: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The level of oral health among inmates living in restricted environments is poor. We investigated oral health behaviours and oral symptoms among male inmates and analysed factors related to OHRQoL. Three hundred and seventy-six male inmates in two prisons were investigated using a self-reported questionnaire. The survey items included oral health behaviours, oral symptoms, self-esteem, and OHRQoL level. We analysed the cross-correlations and factors related to OHRQoL. Toothbrushing after lunch and dinner was practiced by 83.5% of male inmates. 'Food impaction' was experienced by 45.4%. The OHRQoL level among male inmates was low, at 39.90 points. A hierarchical multiple regression model that controlled for general characteristics identified the following OHRQoL factors in order of significance: trouble biting/chewing (β = -0.307), toothache (β = -0.154), temporomandibular joint disorder (β = -0.099), and periodontal health (β = 0.089). Self-esteem and OHRQoL were not significantly correlated. To ensure oral health in male inmates, the results of this study suggest that an oral health education programme, as well as the provision of adequate dental care services, is required to increase appropriate oral health practice rates.

The Oral Symptom Assessment Scale (OSAS): criterion validation with the EORTC QLQ-OH15 and reliability testing.

The aim of this study was to investigate the criterion validity and reliability of the Oral Symptom Assessment Scale (OSAS) in patients with advanced cancer receiving specialist palliative care. To examine criterion validity, participants completed the OSAS, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-OH15. Twenty-four hours later participants repeated the OSAS to investigate test-retest reliability. 54 participants were recruited (median age 70; range: 35- 93years). 51 complete datasets were obtained. Cohen's kappa test was used to evaluate the agreement for the presence / absence of symptoms on the OSAS on the first and second days (test-retest reliability). This analysis showed values of moderate and higher for agreement for all symptoms. All kappa values were statistically significant. The test-retest reliability for symptom severity, frequency and distress was assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to evaluate agreement between similar questions on the OSAS from day one and the EORTC QLQ-OH15 also on day one to examine criterion validity. This study supports the validity of the OSAS, and provides evidence for the reliability of this novel oral symptom assessment tool, in patients with advanced cancer. Further research is needed to corroborate the findings of this study. CancerTrials.gov registry registration no.: PM202166.

Using natural language processing to characterize and predict homeopathic product-associated adverse events in consumer reviews: comparison to reports to FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

Apply natural language processing (NLP) to Amazon consumer reviews to identify adverse events (AEs) associated with unapproved over the counter (OTC) homeopathic drugs and compare findings with reports to the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Data were extracted from publicly available Amazon reviews and analyzed using JMP 16 Pro Text Explorer. Topic modeling identified themes. Sentiment analysis (SA) explored consumer perceptions. A machine learning model optimized prediction of AEs in reviews. Reports for the same time interval and product class were obtained from the FAERS public dashboard and analyzed. Homeopathic cough/cold products were the largest category common to both data sources (Amazon = 616, FAERS = 445) and were analyzed further. Oral symptoms and unpleasant taste were described in both datasets. Amazon reviews describing an AE had lower Amazon ratings (X2 = 224.28, P < .0001). The optimal model for predicting AEs was Neural Boosted 5-fold combining topic modeling and Amazon ratings as predictors (mean AUC = 0.927). Topic modeling and SA of Amazon reviews provided information about consumers' perceptions and opinions of homeopathic OTC cough and cold products. Amazon ratings appear to be a good indicator of the presence or absence of AEs, and identified events were similar to FAERS. Amazon reviews may complement traditional data sources to identify AEs associated with unapproved OTC homeopathic products. This study is the first to use NLP in this context and lays the groundwork for future larger scale efforts.

The relationship between children’s oral health behaviours and oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundUnderstanding oral health behaviour s and their impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) may serve as an instrument to articulate the conventional oral health policy framework, thereby ameliorating the overall health of young individuals in the long term.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between children’s oral health behaviour s and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in the capital governorate, Kuwait.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 607 children aged 12–14 years, randomly selected from schools in Kuwait Capital Region. A validated Oral Health Behaviour s and OHRQoL Child Perception Questionnaires (CPQ12-14) was used to collect the data. Chi-square, t-tests, and ANOVA were used to examine the association between oral behaviour s and children’s OHRQoL.ResultsAbout 52.2% of participants were males and the overall response rate was 93.8%. The mean ± SD for total OHRQoL impact was 3.1 ± 0.58, while the total mean for individual domains- for oral symptoms, functional limitations, emotional well-being and social well-being were 2.89 ± 0.63, 2.89 ± 0.72, 3.1 ± 0.91 and 3.4 ± 0.61, respectively. There was no significant difference in total OHRQoL impact score by frequency of last dental visit, flossing, use of mouth rinse or chewing gum (p > 0.05) but for the overall OHRQoL, frequency of soft drink intake was the only significant predictor associated with 0.2-unit decrease (B = -0.207, 95% CI, p = 0.002) in total OHRQoL scores.ConclusionsHigh frequency of soft drink consumption was related to poorer OHRQoL. Behaviour changing interventions based on OHRQoL inferences coupled with clinical intervention are needed.

The Role of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E for Chemoprevention of Oral Leukoplakia

Introduction: Oral leukoplakia is a prevalent oral mucosal lesion known to undergo malignant transformation, posing a significant public health concern worldwide, primarily attributable to tobacco use. This study aims to investigate the potential preventive effects of vitamins A, C, and E on oral leukoplakia. We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Department of Oral &amp; Maxillofacial Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, over a one-year period from March 2017 to March 2018. Methods: Study Population: We enrolled a total of 43 patients diagnosed with oral leukoplakia attending the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Oral &amp; Maxillofacial Surgery Department. Data Collection: Patients were assessed at 6, 12, and 24-week intervals, during which data were collected using standardized data sheets. Lesion size was measured in square centimeters, and lesion color was recorded through photography. Adverse drug reactions were monitored based on patient complaints during follow-up. Histopathological Evaluation: Histopathological evaluations were performed both before the study and at the conclusion of the study to assess any changes in tissue characteristics. Outcome Variables: The primary outcome variables of interest were clinical response, histopathological findings, and complications associated with the treatment. Results: The study population had a mean age of 44.95±10.42 years, with an age range from 22 to 60 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1. The average duration of the lesions was 14.81±4.82 months, with a range of 6 to 24 months. Lesions were most commonly located in the right buccal mucosa (41.9%), followed by the left buccal mucosa (27.4%). The mean initial lesion size was 4.08±1.95 cm², ranging from 1 to 8 cm². After 24 weeks, 11.63% of patients showed complete improvement. All patients initially presented with white lesions, with a reduction to 97.7% after 6 weeks, 88.4% after 12 weeks, and 69.8% after 24 weeks. Mild adverse drug reactions were reported in 11.7% of patients after 6 weeks and 2.3% after 12 and 24 weeks. Complete remission was observed in 11.6% of patients, and moderate improvement (41–90%) in 37.3%. Notably, one-third of patients experienced a significant color change in their lesions, and adverse drug reactions decreased during subsequent follow-up. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study indicates potential benefits of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E in mitigating oral leukoplakia symptoms, such as reduced lesion size and color improvement, with fewer adverse reactions observed. However, larger, controlled trials are necessary to establish the definitive efficacy of this vitamin combination. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2023; 13(2): 23-29

Clinicohistological Characteristics of Patients with Oral Lichenoid Mucositis: A Retrospective Study for Dental Hospital Records.

Oral lichenoid mucositis (OLM) of the oral mucosa is a histological diagnosis mainly characterised by a band of inflammatory infiltrate in lamina propria and basal cell degeneration. These features describe oral lichen planus or oral lichenoid reaction. However, it could be seen in oral dysplasia. The study aimed to assess the demographics and clinicohistological characteristics of patients with OLM and their relevance to dysplastic changes in the oral mucosa. This was a cross-sectional and retrospective study of archived and electronic records of individuals with histological confirmation of OLM at King Saud University Medical City, Saudi Arabia. The descriptive and correlation assessments were used to describe the demographics and clinicohistological characteristics and their associations, respectively [p < 0.05]. The analysis included 140 records of patients with histological confirmation of OLM with a mean age of 47 (±13), and 57% (n = 81) were females. Notably, 40% of patients had at least one medical condition, mainly diabetes mellitus, 74% were asymptomatic, and 52% had lesions in the buccal mucosa. Dysplasia was seen in 18 (12%) of the 140 reviewed records. Regarding the associations between study variables, dysplastic changes were associated with the male gender [p = 0.024] and were of no significance with increased age [p = 0.594]. Moreover, having oral symptoms was associated with older age [p < 0.001], medical history of diabetes [p = 0.0132] and hypertension [p < 0.001]. The present study findings could help indicate the individuals with histologically confirmed OLM who suffer the most from the clinical disease and have an increased risk of dysplastic changes. Therefore, symptomatic management and long-term follow-up can be planned accordingly.

The Diagnostic Utility of Lip Biopsy in Paediatric Crohn's Disease: A 10-year Single-centre Retrospective Study

BackgroundOral manifestations of paediatric Crohn's disease (CD) are reported in up to 60% of cases. Lip biopsy can be used to histologically diagnose oral CD. We evaluated the utility of lip biopsy in children under initial investigation for potential CD. MethodsA 10-year retrospective review of electronic patient records at a single tertiary paediatric surgery centre was performed. All patients aged ≤16 years who underwent lip biopsy were included. Clinical features, histology, and diagnostic details were extracted. ResultsForty-two children underwent lip biopsy. Median age at biopsy was 13.3 years (11.0–14.9). Final diagnosis was CD in 21/42 (50%) children, indeterminant colitis in 3/42 (7%), orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) in 3/42 (7%), coeliac disease in 1/42 (2%), and eosinophilic oesophagitis in 1/42 (2%). Thirteen children (31%) received no formal diagnosis. The most common symptoms reported were oral ulceration (33/42, 79%), lip swelling (21/42, 50%), and abdominal pain (19/42, 45%). Lip biopsy histology was normal in 11/42 (26%). In 24/42 (57%), non-granulomatous inflammation was seen. In 7/42 (17%) lip biopsy identified granulomatous inflammation: three (7%) had endoscopic biopsies concordant for CD, three (7%) had negative endoscopic biopsies but were diagnosed with CD, and one was diagnosed with OFG (2%). Sensitivity was 29% and specificity was 95%. ConclusionLip biopsy has low sensitivity but high specificity for diagnosing CD. Lip biopsy diagnosed CD in 7% when endoscopic biopsies were negative, enabling treatment. LB is a useful diagnostic test for CD in children presenting with oral symptoms. Level of EvidenceIII.

COVID-19 이후 청소년의 신체활동 변화와 구강 증상의 관련성

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between oral symptoms and physical activity after COVID-19 among adolescents.&#x0D; Methods: A total of 54,835 adolescents were included in our study.&#x0D; Results: In this group of participants with decreased physical activity, the rates of experienced toothache, gingival bleeding, and tooth sensitivity were higher (57.0%, 56.0%, and 55.8%, respectively) than equaled or increased groups (p&lt;0.001). The risk of toothache, gingival bleeding, experience of tooth sensitivity was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.31-1.47) times, 1.33 (95% CI: 1.25-1.42) times, 1.43 (95% CI: 1.35-1.50) times higher, respectively among participants with decreased physical activity after COVID-19.&#x0D; Conclusions: We found that changes in physical activity among adolescents are related to oral symptoms.

Relationship between Job Stress and Oral Subject Symptoms of IT Male Workers: Oral dryness

Relationship between Job Stress and Oral Subject Symptoms of IT Male Workers: Oral dryness

Association of personality traits with dental visit procrastination by Japanese university students

BackgroundProcrastination is a psychological trait that causes individuals to put off doing things that need to be done. It has recently shown to result in the worsening of symptoms due to delays in seeking medical care. However, it is not clear how perception of dental disease influences dental visits. This study examined the associations of procrastination and personality traits with delayed dental visits for both acute and chronic conditions.MethodsOf 599 university students queried, the data of 549 subjects (mean age 19.7 years) were analyzed. A general procrastination scale (GPS), the Big Five personality traits, and oral hygiene habits were used for analysis. The participants were asked about illness awareness conditions related to dental disease, perception of pain in the oral region due to acute oral symptoms and chronic symptoms. The participants were asked the number of days until they decided that treatment was required. Based on the bimodal shape of the distribution, those who answered at least eight days for acute or chronic conditions were classified as the procrastination (P) group and the others as the non-procrastination (Non-P) group.ResultsSignificant differences in GPS scores were found between the groups for both acute and chronic conditions, with significant differences in the Big Five traits of extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism for an acute condition and extraversion, openness, and neuroticism for a chronic condition. There were no significant differences regarding oral hygiene habits between the groups for either condition. Next, using a Bayesian network, the probabilistic causal relations among procrastination, the Big Five traits, and delays in dental visits for both acute and chronic conditions were analyzed. Among the Big Five traits, conscientiousness and neuroticism were directly related to GPS score. Interestingly, agreeableness was directly related to delays in dental visits only for an acute condition and showed a negative effect, while dental student status had a positive effect on delays in dental visits.ConclusionsThe results showed that procrastination and dentistry department are factors that directly influence delays in dental visits, while agreeableness, a Big Five trait, has a negative effect on individuals with an acute condition.