Oral health in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A cross-sectional survey in Sweden.

Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to assess oral health, including prevalence of periodontitis and rate of tooth loss, in a Swedish cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: A questionnaire on general anamnestic and socio-economic aspects, IBD diagnosis, and various oral health aspects was distributed online. The analyses focused on the comparison between patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) as well as on factors associated with self-reported severe periodontitis and tooth loss.

Results: Analyses were based on answers from 786 patients; 415 with UC, 371 with CD, 74% female. In both disease entities, high prevalence of severe periodontitis (i.e., 38.5%) was reported, and about 19% of the population had less than 20 remaining teeth and 6.5% a poor oral health-related quality of life. CD patients tended to be more severely affected than UC patients (p > 0.05 in the adjusted analysis). Almost 90% of CD patients were aware of being entitled to a bi-annual governmental financial support for dental care due to IBD; however, 1 out of 4 UC patients did not. Furthermore, IBD patients largely believe that the interest of their physicians in any oral lesions due to IBD diagnosis is low.

Conclusions: Severe periodontitis and high rate of tooth loss are frequent in Swedish IBD patients.

Clinical relevance: Even though IBD patients receive bi-annually some special financial support for dental care, it seems this is still not sufficient and more preventive measures appear necessary.