Comprehensive assessment of periodontal health in cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the term for a set of neurological disorders resulting from brain damage that impairs motor function. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the literature to determine whether individuals with CP are at a greater risk of negative periodontal health outcomes compared to those without CP.

Methods: This study followed the recommendations of the MOOSE guidelines. Electronic searches were conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, Embase, and PsycInfo databases. Observational studies assessing periodontal outcomes in individuals with CP were included. Risk of bias was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Meta-analyses were conducted and the results were presented using standardized mean differences (SMD), odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The strength of the evidence was also assessed.

Results: A total of 316 records were retrieved from the electronic databases, 17 of which were included in the qualitative synthesis. Meta-analyses revealed significantly higher scores in individuals with CP compared to those without CP for the oral hygiene index (SMD = 0.47 [95% CI: 0.17-0.78, I² = 80%), gingival index (SMD = 0.75 [95% CI: 0.39-1.11], I² = 79%), plaque index (SMD = 0.70 [95% CI: 0.07-1.33], I² = 93%), and calculus index (SMD = 0.98 [95% CI: 0.76-1.20], I² = 0%). However, no significant difference was found between groups for the prevalence of gingivitis (OR = 1.27 [95% CI: 0.28-5.66], I² = 93%). The risk of bias for the outcome assessment and statistical tests was low. The strength of the evidence was deemed very low.

Conclusion: Individuals with CP may experience more significant negative periodontal health outcomes compared to those without CP.