Associations Between Comorbidities, Medication Use and Dental Outcomes in Clinical Practice in Hail Dental Centre in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study

TL;DR

This study examines how medical conditions and medications affect dental health in Saudi Arabia, finding strong links between diabetes and dental caries.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the associations between comorbidities, medication use, and dental outcomes in a Saudi Arabian clinical setting.

Findings

Diabetes was significantly associated with a higher number of active dental caries.

Hypertension was linked to increased dental pain among patients.

Polypharmacy was observed in 8.4% of patients, highlighting medication complexity in dental care.

Abstract

Patients with medical conditions present unique challenges in dental practice, requiring modifications to treatment protocols and heightened awareness of potential complications. Understanding the prevalence and patterns of medical conditions and medication use among dental patients is crucial for providing safe and effective care.

To examine the prevalence and patterns of medical conditions and medication use among dental patients, and to explore possible links between medical conditions and dental health outcomes.

This retrospective study was conducted on 383 dental patients in Hail, Saudi Arabia. Demographic information, medical history, medication profiles, and dental health parameters were analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the sample and associations between medical conditions, medications, and dental health outcomes.

The mean age of patients was 51.5 years (SD = 16.5), with a female predominance (65%). The prevalence of diabetes was 53.5%, hypertension 49.6%, and hypothyroidism 23.0%. Polypharmacy (≥ 5 medications) occurred in 8.4% of patients. Commonly used medications included antihypertensives, antidiabetics, and analgesics. The mean number of active dental caries was 1.37 per patient. Significant associations were observed between diabetes and the number of active caries, and hypertension was associated with increased dental pain.

The findings highlight the high prevalence of medical conditions and medication use among dental patients, emphasising the importance of comprehensive medical history assessment in dental practice. Understanding these patterns can inform treatment planning, risk assessment, and preventive strategies for medically compromised dental patients.

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