Oral microcirculation in post-menopause: a possible correlation with periodontitis.
OBJECTIVE
The reduction in the level of oestrogen, typical in menopause, has some effect on the health of the oral cavity. In fact, post-menopausal women present more severe periodontal disease than pre-menopausal women. Numerous factors can be held to be responsible for this increase, among which are the effects of oestrogens on the oral epithelium, on the salivary glands, on bone tissue and on the endothelium. Our double blind study aims to evaluate the possible variations in oral microcirculation in post-menopausal women.


METHODS
Twenty-seven women in post-menopause (age: Mean ± SD: 57.3 ± 8.73) and 27 women in pre-menopause (age: Mean ± SD: 27.77 ± 3.56) were examined. Oral microcirculation was investigated using oral videocapillaroscopy.


RESULTS
The study showed significant differences between cases and controls for the following parameters: decrease in diameter of loops (mean ± SD: 0.038 ± 0.008; 0.045 ± 0.005), increase in tortuosity (mean ± SD: 3.83 ± 1.13; 1.83 ± 1.06) in labial mucosa and decrease in density in periodontal mucosa (Mean ± SD: 28.86 ± 10.92; 89.62 ± 17.83).


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease in periodontal density may compromise the epithelium tropism, making it prone to inflammation. The tortuosity may indicate a greater permanence of inflammatory factors, increased in post-menopausal women.
Department of Oncology and Surgery, University of Palermo Section of Oral Sciences, Palermo, Italy. scardina@odonto.unipa.it
Giuseppe A
GA
Scardina
Pietro
P
Messina
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002196:Capillaries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004848:Epithelium / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008046:Lip / Q000098:blood supply; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D020678:Microscopic Angioscopy / Q000379:methods; D055806:Microvessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000098:blood supply*; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D014741:Video Recording / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult