title: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in adults with skeletal Class III malocclusion examined by questionnaires.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with masticatory dysfunction have a higher incidence of gastrointestinal disorders including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Masticatory function is significantly lower in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion than in those with normal occlusion. However, GERD symptoms in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion are still unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine GERD symptoms and masticatory functions in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen adult patients with severe skeletal Class III malocclusion (Class III group) and 20 adults with normal occlusion (control group) participated in this study. The results of the Carlsson-Dent self-administered questionnaire (QUEST) and the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG) were compared between the 2 groups, along with occlusal contact area, maximal voluntary bite force, and salivary flow rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The QUEST and FSSG scores were significantly higher in the Class III group. Occlusal contact area and maximal voluntary bite force were significantly smaller in the Class III group. There was no significant difference in the salivary flow rates between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GERD symptoms were observed more often in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion than in normal subjects as determined by the questionnaires.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Rena
authors: R
authors: Togawa
authors: Haruhito
authors: H
authors: Ohmure
authors: Katsuyoshi
authors: K
authors: Sakaguchi
authors: Hiroko
authors: H
authors: Takada
authors: Kiyoko
authors: K
authors: Oikawa
authors: Junko
authors: J
authors: Nagata
authors: Takafumi
authors: T
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Hirohito
authors: H
authors: Tsubouchi
authors: Shouichi
authors: S
authors: Miyawaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001732:Bite Force; D002508:Cephalometry; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000150:complications; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000150:complications*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult