Cystic fibrosis patients may have a high prevalence of developmental defect of enamel, reveals study

Cystic Fibrosis is an autosomal recessive condition. It is a multisystem disease treated with a broad range of pharmacological therapies, diet and nutrition, and physiotherapy. Previous studies suggest that people with cystic fibrosis have a higher prevalence of developmental defects of enamel which may place this population at a greater risk of developing oral diseases such as caries. This study aimed to assess a cohort of people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) for the presence of developmental defects of enamel and compare the results with a control group of people without cystic fibrosis. A cross-sectional study involving 92 participants with cystic fibrosis and 92 controls was conducted in XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. All participants completed a detailed questionnaire before undergoing a full clinical examination. The Developmental Defect of Enamel Index was used as a measurement index. All data was statistically analysed with the help of statisticians from Cystic Fibrosis Registry XXXXX.

Results: 64% (n=59) of PwCF had enamel defects compared to just 30% (n=28) of people without cystic fibrosis. The median number of teeth affected by enamel defects in the study group was 1.5, compared to 0 in the control group. In this study the cohort of PwCF had more enamel defects than people without CF. Further research is required to investigate the aetiology of these findings. Clinicians should be vigilant after teeth have erupted in PwCF as they may have an increased susceptibility to developmental defects of enamel.

Reference:

Fiona O'Leary, Niamh Coffey, Francis M Burke, Anthony Roberts, Paul O'Regan, Laura Kirwan, Barry Plant, Martina Hayes. The Prevalence of Developmental Defects of Enamel in a Cohort of Adults with Cystic Fibrosis – A Cross Sectional Study, Journal of Dentistry,

2024, 104893, ISSN 0300-5712, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104893.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571224000630)