Bruxism highly prevalent among patients with downs syndrome, may persist for lifetime

Bruxism is a parafunctional activity characterised by grinding or clenching of teeth and is a common oral health concern in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Understanding the prevalence of bruxism in this population is crucial for developing effective management strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prevalence of bruxism among individuals with Down syndrome and explore its association with other oral health issues. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple electronic databases to identify relevant studies. Cross-sectional and observational studies were included. Data on bruxism prevalence and associated factors were extracted, and a meta-analysis was performed using both fixed-effects (FE) and random-effects (RE) models of MedCalc software. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using I2 statistics. The New Castle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. Results: Eight studies met the pre-defined inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Seven studies used a questionnaire to assess bruxism.

The pooled proportion estimate for the occurrence of DS across the included studies was found to be 0.33 (95% CI: 0.22–0.45) as per the RE model and 0.35 (95% CI: 0.31–0.450) as per the FE model in the quantitative analysis. All studies exhibited good methodological quality. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence of a significant prevalence of bruxism among individuals with Down syndrome. The findings highlight the association of bruxism with other oral health issues and specific chromosomal abnormalities. Comprehensive oral health assessments, including diagnostic procedures like Polysomnography, are essential for addressing the unique oral health needs of individuals with Down syndrome. Further studies are recommended with a valid tool for the diagnosis. Early interventions and management strategies need to be tailored to this population, considering the multifaceted nature of oral health concerns in individuals with Down syndrome.

Reference: Alam MK, Alsharari AHL, Shayeb MAL, Elfadil S, Cervino G, Minervini G. Prevalence of bruxism in down syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Oral Rehabil. 2023; 50: 1498-1507. doi:10.1111/joor.13563