PEPTEST AND INJURIES TO THE HARD TISSUES OF THE ORAL CAVITY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Caterina Maria Grillo¹, Sebastiano Ferlito², Antonino Maniaci¹, Alessandro Polizzi², Calogero Grillo¹, Ignazio La Mantia¹, Paola Campagna³, Gaetano Isola²

¹Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies G.f. Ingrassia, Ent Section University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy - ²Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy - ³Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgery Specialties University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy

Introduction: The aim of the study is to evaluate the correlation between the presence of pepsin in saliva and dental erosion in patients with GERD.

Materials and methods: 100 adult patients with typical GERD symptoms have been tested with the salivary pepsin test (PEPTEST which was used to assess the presence of pepsin in saliva and, therefore, for the diagnosis of GERD. The presence and the localization of dental erosion was evaluated through a dental examination. 

Results: In 52% of the patients the PEP test was positive. It was shown that out of 52 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, 16 (30%) had dental erosions, while in the remaining 48 healthy subjects only 4 patients (8%) showed dental erosions.

Conclusions: The results showed a positive correlation between the presence of pepsin and dental erosion. A multidisciplinary approach between the gastroenterologist and the dentist is very important in order to plan and implement the most suitable therapeutic strategy that aims to restore a state of health of all the anatomical districts concerned.