The comparison of oral health and xerostomia between hospitalized patients with schizophrenia and normal individuals

Background: Schizophrenia is a psychiatric illness characterized by negative symptoms (apathy, social withdrawal, lack of motivation) and cognitive deficits, while impairment in self-care, grooming, and oral health is also noted. This study aimed to evaluate oral health status and xerostomia among hospitalized patients in Razi Hospital in Tabriz, Iran during 2019.

Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, a total of 80 people (equal genders) including 40 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia and 40 healthy matched controls were recruited conveniently from among non-psychiatric outpatient poly-clinic referrals. Oral health status was measured by decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index and xerostomia index. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 25 by student's t-test, chi-square, Pearson, and Spearman correlation tests. P-values under 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: In both groups, 75% out of males were smokers. The mean DMFT in the cases was significantly greater than the controls (P=0.02). There was no difference between genders in both groups. The means of xerostomia indices were significantly higher in the case group. (t=3.47, P=0.001).

Conclusion: Based on cognitive deficits and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, oral hygiene is considerably lower than normal populations. This is a great hint for policy-makers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, and family members to emphasize on prevention of oral and dental lesions among afflicted patients.