Increased risk of periodontal disease and poor oral-related quality of life in fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE

(1) To survey oral health in fibromyalgia (FM) and compare with population controls and (2) to assess whether patterns of contact allergy are related to oral status in FM.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Participants

60 females with FM who had previously received contact allergy testing.

CONTROLS: 120 age- and gender-matched individuals. Questionnaire on aspects of oral health and symptoms and Oral Health Impact Profile-14. Clinical and radiological examination regarding oral health status.

RESULTS

The degree of periodontal disease differed significantly between the FM and control groups (p = 0.017), with the difference most marked in younger patients. No difference was seen regarding dental caries and filled surfaces. FM patients had a higher prevalence of oral lesions than control patients (30.0% vs. 10.1%, p < 0.001). Younger FM patients had a poorer oral health-related quality of life than older patients. There was no relationship between oral symptoms or oral lesions and contact allergy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with FM have a poorer oral status than controls, particularly concerning periodontitis and oral lesions. Further work is required to assess whether contact allergy may play a role in poorer oral status and systemic inflammation in FM.