Association between dental caries experience and salivary profile among autoimmune thyroid disease subjects - a cross-sectional comparative study [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is an inflammatory condition that primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 50. It has been hypothesised that AITD causes salivary glands to produce less saliva due to its endocrine effects. Studies showing the effect of AITD on salivary glands are very scarce. The aim of this study was to compare AITD patients with controls who were of a similar age and gender in terms of salivary metrics and the prevalence of dental caries. Methods: 200 subjects in Bangalore city (100 AITD subjects and 100 healthy subjects as controls) participated in a cross-sectional study. Subjective oral dryness was assessed using Farsi’s criteria. Salivary parameters and caries were assessed using GC Saliva-Check BUFFER kit and WHO caries criteria respectively. Descriptive and analytical statistics were done. Significant data was defined as a p value of