Abstract
Introduction
Parkinson's disease (PD) results in unfavorable clinical conditions for oral health and there is no published study on pain during dental treatment in PD patients.
Objective
To investigate association between clinical characteristics of PD and the intensity of pain due to dental treatments.
Material and method
A consecutive sample of 70 patients with PD was used, in which 217 invasive dental procedures were performed. PD duration was collected from dental records; PD stage was defined using the Hoehn and Yahr scale; cognitive deficit, using the Mini Mental State Examination; depression, using the Beck Depression Inventory; and motor impairment, using the UPDRS-AVD scale. Patients were asked whether in the last month they felt any numbness, tingling, burning or pain sensation; as well as difficulty in smelling or tasting. Treatment-related pain was collected using a Numerical Pain Scale with values ranging from 0 to 10.
Result
the level of pain perceived by patients during dental treatment was not significantly associated with PD duration, PD stage, motor impairment or occurrence of depression. The frequency of patients who reported a higher level of pain was statistically higher among those with cognitive impairment and those who reported the presence of a greater number of sensory symptoms, especially numbness and burning.
Conclusion
Pain related to dental treatment in PD patients is associated with non-motor symptoms of these patients, specifically the cognitive impairment and the presence of sensory symptoms.
Descriptors:
Parkinson’s disease; pain; procedural pain; pain perception; cognitive dysfunction