THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE EDUCATION IN BEHÇETS SYNDROME

Abstract

Aim: Oral ulceration is a cardinal clinical sign causing poor oral health, and is found to be a risk factor for a severe disease course in Behçet’s Disease (BD). The aim of this retrospective study was therefore to assess the importance of oral hygiene education in patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) in long- term follow-up.

Methods: In this retrospective study, non-selected 143 BD patients were included. Among them, 93 patients were followed with dental and periodontal indices and oral hygiene education in each visit regularly (Regular follow-up (RF) group), whereas 50 patients were not under regular oral hygiene control (Irregular follow-up (I-RF) group). Changes in oral health parameters were examined according to two follow-up periods (short-term: <5 years vs long-term: ≥5 years). The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Marmara University Medical School. Informed consent was taken. Paired t- test and un-paired t-test was used in the analysis.

Results: No significant differences were observed in periodontal indices between RF group and the I-RF group at baseline (p>0.05). When the groups were analyzed according to short vs long follow-up periods, dental and periodontal health status was stable in both follow-up periods in RF group (p>0.05). In contrast, the number of natural teeth decreased and the plaque index score increased during follow-up (17.1±8.3 and 1.8±1.01, respectively) compared to baseline (21.5±6.4 and 1.3±1.1, respectively) in the I-RF group in short-term follow-up (p=0.028 and p=0.04). In addition to these parameters, scores for the sulcus bleeding index, periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment level were also worse at follow-up than baseline in the I-RF group in the long-term follow-up (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In the non- random group of patients stability of oral health was accomplished in BD patients who attended regularly, and were provided with continuing oral hygiene motivation and education in long-term (> 5 years) follow-up. These results suggest that regular follow-up may affect the course of the disease, leading to a better prognosis.