Oral manifestations in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease: A hospital-based case-control study

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the occurrence and correlation of oral manifestations of patients affected by gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), especially with dental erosion. Materials and Methods: With a simple randomization method, a total of 120 patients, GERD-diagnosed patients (group 1, n = 60), based on complaints and reviewed by gastroenterologists through proper history, clinical pictures, and established investigations, and healthy individuals (group 2, n = 60), were enrolled in the study. Oral manifestations such as xerostomia, oral acid/burning sensation, subjective halitosis, dental sensitivity, and dental erosion were evaluated in both groups. The Chi-square test and continuous variables were compared by the Mann-Whitney test and the Kruskal-Wallis test (P value < 0.05, significant). Results: The Mann-Whitney U test on the distribution of the gastric complaints between two groups revealed a significant difference in all the variables. A significant difference was found in the distribution of all the oral manifestations except halitosis and dentinal hypersensitivity between both groups. The Chi-square test between the heartburn and dental erosions revealed a significant association (c2 = 293.761, df = 1, P < 0.001), whereas there was no significant association between heartburn and dentinal hypersensitivity. Conclusion: GERD and dental erosions had no significant correlation, whereas other oral manifestations and mucosal changes were found significant with GERD.