Prevalence of Oral Pathologies in Patients With Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: A Quantitative Systematic Review.

AIM: Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD), significantly affect individuals' overall health. Despite their high susceptibility to developing oral diseases, such as dental caries (DC), periodontal disease (PD) and oral mucosal lesions (OML), oral health has been insufficiently addressed in this population. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of oral diseases in people with SCZ and BD.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

A quantitative systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies in English and Spanish published between 2014 and 2024 were included, using the PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), LILACS, and SciELO databases. Research reporting the prevalence of DC, PD, and OML in adults with SCZ and/or BD were selected. Cohort, cross-sectional, case-control studies, and clinical trials were considered. A total of 46 articles were identified, 15 of which met the inclusion criteria. A high prevalence of DC and PD was observed, associated with the use of psychotropic medications, prolonged hospitalizations, advanced age, extrapyramidal symptoms and poor oral hygiene.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SCZ and BD have a higher risk for oral diseases and face barriers to accessing oral care, in comparison with patients without SCZ and BD. It is necessary to implement interdisciplinary strategies for prevention and treatment that are urgently needed.