title: Factors associated with gingival inflammation among adults with systemic sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors associated with increased gingival inflammation in adults with systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, forty-eight adults with SSc received assessment of gingival inflammation using Löe and Silness gingival index (LSGI), measurement of oral aperture and evaluation of manual dexterity to perform oral hygiene using the Toothbrushing Ability Test, as well as completion of an oral health-related questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three explanatory variables in the final multiple predictor models for the LSGI outcome were statistically significant--manual dexterity to perform oral hygiene, flossing in the evening and SSc subtype, with higher (i.e., worse) LSGI score among those with impaired manual dexterity, not flossing in the evening and diffuse form of SSc. In addition, posterior teeth had higher LSGI scores compared with that of the anterior teeth after adjusting for other variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that dental health professionals take manual dexterity into consideration when educating patients with SSc to improve their oral hygiene and educate them on paying more attention on cleaning their posterior teeth and the importance of flossing in the evening--especially those who only floss once a day or less often.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Summerlin
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Silver
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000150:complications*; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009055:Mouth / Q000473:pathology; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010512:Periodontal Index; D045743:Scleroderma, Diffuse / Q000150:complications; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D012907:Smoking; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes
keywords: epidemiological methods; gingival diseases; oral hygiene; scleroderma