Common oral diseases in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients pre-HSCT

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of common oral diseases between allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients and healthy controls. Materials and methods A total of 143 adult allogeneic HSCT recipients who were treated for haematological malignancies between 2008 and 2016 were included in the study. The HSCT recipients were age and sex matched with healthy controls. A dental examination was performed on the HSCT recipients prior to HSCT. Differences in stimulated saliva flow rate (SSFR), decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index, number of teeth, number of caries lesions, and measures of current or previous periodontitis (radiological attachment loss >3 mm or probing pocket depth >= 4 mm) between HSCT recipients and controls were examined. Results Stimulated saliva flow rate, DMFT index and the number of caries lesions were poorer in the HSCT recipients pre-HSCT compared to controls (all P-values <0.05). No statistically significant differences in the measures of current or previous periodontitis were observed. Conclusions Stimulated saliva flow rate was low and caries was common in HSCT recipients prior to HSCT. Efficient preventive strategies are important in order to maintain the oral health of these patients.