Rare bone disorder leaves patients vulnerable to severe dental problems
A new study documents how X-linked hypophosphatemia, a genetic disorder affecting bone development, creates distinct dental complications that require specialized treatment approaches. The findings could help dentists and physicians better manage care for these patients and inform rare disease treatment strategies.
Originaltitel: Dental health of patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia: A controlled study
<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present study compared the dental health of patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia<strong> </strong>(XLH) with healthy age- and gender-matched controls to increase our knowledge of the impact of XLH on oral health. </p><p><strong>Materials and methods</strong>: Twenty-two adult patients with XLH in the Stockholm region of Sweden were referred to the Department of Orofacial Medicine at Karolinska Institutet for an extended clinical and radiological examination. Pre-existing radiologic examinations of 44 healthy age- and gender-matched controls were retrieved from the Department of Oral Radiology, at Karolinska Institutet. </p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The 22 patients with XLH (15 females, median age 38 years, range 20–71; 7 males, median age 49 years, range 24–67) had a significantly higher number of root-filled teeth compared to healthy controls (<em>p</em> = .001). In the XLH group, females had significantly better oral health than males, especially concerning endodontic and cariological status (<em>p’s</em> = .01 and .02, respectively). Periodontal status differed non-significantly between the XLH and control groups. </p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients with XLH had a significantly lower oral health status compared to a healthy population especially concerning endodontic conditions. Male patients with XLH had a higher risk of poor oral health compared to female patients with XLH.</p>