Impairment of salivary function in juvenile idiopathic oligoarticular arthritis is a sign of early onset disease

Authors

  • P Defabianis Department of Surgical Sciences, C.I.R. Dental School – Section of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Turin, Turin
  • E Carli Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa
  • F Garofalo Paediatric Department, Paediatric Rheumatology Unit, Rivoli Hospital, ASL TO3, Turin
  • F Romano Department of Surgical Sciences, C.I.R. Dental School – Section of Periodontology, University of Turin, Turin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2022.23.03.08

Keywords:

Autoimmune diseases, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Risk factor, Salivary glands, Xerostomia

Abstract

AIM: Recent evidences of the presence of reduced stimulated salivary flow rate and altered saliva composition in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (o-JIA) suggest a specific damage to the salivary glands. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether reduced salivary flow rate could be related to age and gender at disease onset in o-JIA. METHODS: A total of 57 Caucasian patients (41 females and 16 males) aged 5 to 16 years affected by o-JIA were consecutively enrolled in the study. Information on medication intake, dietary and oral hygiene habits were gathered through a standardised questionnaire. All patients underwent oral and sialometry examination. CONCLUSION: Early onset disease would seem to be associated with salivary glands impairment. Regular dental and salivary gland function assessments may be highly recommended in o-JIA patients considering that saliva collection is a non-invasive and inexpensive procedure.