Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Modulators Based Therapy (CFTR) in oral and salivary perspectives: A single center cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

Recently introduced modulators-based therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF), provides new opportunity for better health outcomes and longer life. Single center cross-sectional aim of this study was to determine oral health status of adult CF patients, treated with CFTR modulators (CFTR-T), with no modulators (CFTR-0) in comparison to matched healthy individuals (Ctrl).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Among 52 CF adult outpatients (male n = 24/female n = 28, 18-49y.) 34 were treated with triple-combination CFTR modulators (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor). Oral assessments included caries prevalence (Decayed, Missing, Filled teeth DMFT), dental hygiene (Plaque Control Record PCR), bleeding on probing (BOP), salivary mucins 5B/7, lysozyme, alpha-amylase (ELISA/PCR tests).

RESULTS

There was statistically significant difference between CF and Ctrl groups in decayed teeth (respectively median (min-max) 1 (0-12) vs. 0 (0-3) p < 0.001), PCR% (22.5 (0-100) vs. 10 (0-60) p < 0.001), BOP% (0 (0-39) vs. 0 (0-30) p < 0.006). Significantly higher concentrations of mucins 5b,7 and lysozyme (0.9 (0.3-20.9), 2.8 (0.9-12.8), 11.1 (5-31), all p < 0.001). In CFTR-T subgroup significantly higher dental plaque (31.5 (1-100) vs. 10 (0-60), p < 0.001) and lysozyme (8.8 (5-15.5), p < 0.001). Noteworthy, CFTR-T recipients gained weight (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Adult patients with CF showed higher susceptibility to dental caries, poorer oral hygiene and sustain proinflammatory status. However novel modulator therapy reduced the level of salivary mucins and enzymes.