BackgroundEmerging evidence suggests a link between salivary metabolite changes and neurodegenerative dementia, with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) implicated in its pathogenesis. ObjectiveWe investigated the effects of a clinical oral rehabilitation programme tailored for dementia patients on salivary flow rate, AMP levels and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). MethodsEligible patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG; n = 28) or the control group (CG; n = 27). Both groups received a leaflet on oral health. In addition, the EG received an oral care intervention that included individual lessons on oral muscle exercises and oral self-care practices. Saliva samples and OHRQoL data were collected at baseline and follow-up visits. Generalised estimating equation models were used to analyse the changes over time. ResultsAt the 3-month follow-up, EG showed significantly lower histatin 5 (HTN-5) levels (beta = -0.08; effect size [ES] = 0.72) than CG. At 6 months, EG exhibited improved salivary flow rate (beta = 0.89; ES = 0.89) and OHRQoL (beta = 6.99; ES = 1.31) compared to CG. Changes in salivary flow rate (beta = 4.03), HTN-5 level (beta = -0.78) and beta-defensin 2 level (BD-2) (beta = -0.91) at 3 months predicted improved OHRQoL at 6 months (all p < 0.05). ConclusionsOur clinical oral rehabilitation programme reduced the level of salivary HTN-5, increased salivary flow rate and enhanced OHRQoL in dementia patients. Furthermore, changes in salivary flow rate, HTN-5 level and BD-2 level were associated with improvements in patients' OHRQoL.
Date:
2024-10-06
Relation:
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 2024 Oct 06;Article in Press.
