Ann Dermatol.  2021 Apr;33(2):154-162. 10.5021/ad.2021.33.2.154.

Dental Caries in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Korea

• Park HJ
• Choi M
• Park HJ
• Haw S

• KMID: 2513597
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2021.33.2.154

Abstract

Background
Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic infectious oral disease of multifactorial etiology. Increased risk of dental caries development in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis has been frequently reported. In contrast, only a few studies on dental caries in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have been reported.
Objective
We investigated the association between AD and dental caries development in an adult population in the Republic of Korea.
Methods
A total of 21,606 adults who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey between 2010 and 2015, were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression analyses with confounder adjustment suggested odds ratios (ORs) to identify the possible association between AD and decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) experience compared to non-AD participants. Multiple Poisson regression analyses estimated the mean ratio of the DMFT index according to the presence of AD.
Results
After adjusting for various confounding factors, the prevalence of DMFT was significantly associated with AD (OR, 1.58; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08∼2.29; p=0.017). In addition, the mean value of the DMFT index was significantly different between the AD and non-AD groups (mean ratio, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.00∼1.14; p= 0.046).
Conclusion
AD was significantly associated with the development of dental caries. Dermatologists should be aware of the dental manifestations of AD patients and recommend regular dental check-ups for the early detection of caries.

Keyword

Adult; Atopic dermatitis; Dental caries