RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Asthma and caries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p1763
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Maritta S. Jaakkola
A1 Salla Alavaikko
A1 Leo Tjaderhane
A1 Jouni J.K. Jaakkola
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1763.abstract
AB Background: Currently there is some inconclusive evidence suggesting an effect of asthma on increased caries.Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the evidence on the relation between asthma and caries.Methods: An Ovid Medline database search was performed from 1950 through May 2010 using the MeSH terms “asthma” and “caries”. Summary effect estimates were calculated with fixed- and random-effects models and determinants of heterogeneity were studied in meta-regression analysis.Results: The meta-analysis was based on 11 articles providing effect estimates of asthma on primary dentition and 14 articles on permanent dentition. The summary effect estimates of the relation between asthma and caries from the random-effects models were 2.73 (95% CI 1.61, 4.64) and 2.04 (95% CI 1.41, 2.89), respectively. Factors identified as determinants of heterogeneity were geographical region for primary dentition and publication year, sample size, asthma definition used, and information on the use of asthma medication for permanent dentition.Conclusions: Based on existing evidence asthma doubles the risk of caries in primary and permanent dentition. Physicians and dentists should pay special attention to preventive measures against caries in asthmatics.