Salivary flow rate and oral findings in Prader–Willi syndrome: a case‐control study

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare complex multisystemic genetic disorder. AIM. The objective of this study was to provide a systematic assessment of whole saliva secretion and oral manifestations associated with PWS. DESIGN. Fifty individuals (5-40 years) with PWS and an age- and sex-matched control group were included. Whole saliva was collected. All participants underwent an anamnestic interview. Radiological and dental clinical examinations were carried out to identify hypodontia, dental caries, enamel defects and gingival inflammation. RESULTS. Mean whole salivary flow rate was 0.12 ± 0.11 mL/min in the study group compared with 0.32 ± 0.20 mL/min in the control group (P < 0.001). Hypodontia was significantly more common in PWS (P < 0.001), and dental caries in the age group >19 years was significantly lower in PWS (P = 0.04) compared with the controls. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of dental caries in the primary dentition or in the frequency of enamel defects in the permanent dentition between the two groups. Median Gingival Index was significantly higher in the Prader-Willi group compared with the controls (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS. Low salivary flow is a consistent finding in PWS. Nevertheless, despite dry mouth and dietary challenges, dental caries is not increased in Norwegian individuals with PWS.

Oral disorders in children with Prader-Willi syndrome: a case control study

“…However, found no significant difference between the risk of caries in individuals with PWS and in healthy patients [22]. In the present study, no significant differences were found regarding the caries indices between the populations, though caries were more frequent in individuals with PWS.…”

“…As for the facial phenotype, patients with PWS usually present a narrow forehead, elongated almond-shaped eyes with ascending oblique palpebral fissures, and a triangular mouth with commissures facing downwards and thin upper lip [1,[22][23][24].…”

Salivary hypofunction: An update on aetiology, diagnosis and therapeutics

“…Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder resulting from failed expression of paternally inherited genes on chromosome 15q11-13. 101 Saeves et al 101 demonstrated that in PWS patients saliva presents extremely thick and sticky; it is possible that the protein secretion in salivary glands may be functioning properly or even be overexpressed, whereas fluid secretion is reduced.…”

Severe tooth wear in Prader-Willi syndrome. A case–control study

“…Decreased salivary flow rates [24] and increased amounts of salivary ions and proteins have also been reported [20,21]. Dental caries [25-28], enamel defects [27-31] and poor oral hygiene [27,28] have been described in case reports.…”