The Influence of Oral Health Care on Prevalence of Urinary Symptoms and mean plasma Prostatic Surface Antigen (PSA) concentration in a Population of Nigerian Adult Males

Abstract

Background/Aims and Objectives: Inflammatory mediators from ongoing oral infection induce intense immune response that could lead to the carcinogenesis as well as progression of pathogenesis of systemic diseases. Development of prostatic carcinoma and presence of urinary symptoms may be linked to the presence of oral problems.Methodology: This is a community based study with longitudinal study design. The study was done among adult and elderly men in a south western city in Nigeria (Oshogbo). Participants were randomly selected from the community using systematic sampling technique. Their biodata, history of oral and urinary symptoms were recorded. Oral examination was done, blood samples of participants were collected and transported to the laboratory for determination of mean plasma PSA. Oral health education and corresponding treatment of oral lesions present were done. Prostatic Surface Antigen was measured in the laboratory using i-chroma Reader, a fluorescence scanning instrument. Data was analyzed using STATA 16.Results: Out of the 72 participants that were recruited for the study, only 60 participants completed the study, others were lost to follow up and death. More than half of the participants are in their fifth decade of life. The most prevalent the oral lesions seen was xerostomia, other lesion seen were halitosis, candidiasis and periodontitis. The prevalence oral lesions were significantly reduced after dental intervention. The mean PSA concentration was highest among participants with periodontitis, followed by those with split urinary stream. The mean PSA concentration was also significantly reduced after the dental intervention. Likewise, urinary symptoms were significantly reduced after dental intervention, p= 0.001. Consclusion:Poor oral hygiene and presence of oral lesions are associated with raised PSA concentration. Oral health education and dental treatment were associated with reduced prevalence of oral and urinary symptoms among males. Mean PSA is highest among patients with periodontitis. Following dental intervention, mean PSA concentration and the prevalence of urinary symptoms were significantly reduced.